Abstract The impact of mothers mental health status on the wellbeing of children in the coastal communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was studied. The study was driven by the increasing concern of the impact of maternal mental health issues on children's development, health, and wellbeing, specifically in socio-economically disadvantaged coastal communities. Specifically, the study evaluated the socio-economic status of mothers and its implications on children's wellbeing in coastal areas of Akwa Ibom State, the effect of maternal depression on children aged below five years and the effect of maternal anxiety disorders on children's wellbeing. This study used a descriptive survey design and a qualitative research approach. The methods used in the collection of data were In-Depth interviews (IDIs), Key Informant interviews (KIIs), and Focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 120 participants comprising of mothers who were being treated in the Psychiatric Hospital Eket, Iquita General Hospital Oron, General Hospital Ituk Mbang, and some of the traditional mental health centres in Oron, Adadia and Oku Iboku were engaged. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data based on the study objectives. The results indicated that maternal depression has a negative impact on children through emotional neglect, poor mother-child relationship, supervision, behavioural instability and developmental problems in children under 5 years. The study also revealed that the mothers' anxiety disorders result in inconsistent care and parenting, emotional insecurity, poor health-seeking practices, and susceptibility of children to neglect and abuse. It was also found that low SE status exacerbates maternal psychological distress, and restricts access to health, nutrition, education and other resources required for children's healthy development. The key factors cited as exacerbating maternal mental health problems and child wellbeing were poverty, unemployment, family instability and poor social support. The study finds that mothers' mental health status has a significant impact on the wellbeing of children in coastal communities of Akwa Ibom State. It suggests boosting community-based mental health services, establishing mental health screening as part of maternal and child health programmes and also introducing economic empowerment programmes for mothers to enhance both maternal mental health status and child wellbeing. Keywords: Mothers, Mental health, Children’s wellbeing, Coastal areas, Depression, Anxiety