What type of support is available?

Woman talks with healthcare professional

Women with mild to moderate mental health concerns are supported by a range of services; their GP, midwife, health visitor, primary care psychology service/talking therapy service and in places like Children’s Centres. There are many third sector organisations that also provide a range of support services, follow the related links to find out more. You can self-refer to all of these services. Women with more severe or complex mental health conditions, for example, severe anxiety, severe depression, psychosis and bipolar affective disorder, should be seen by a specialist perinatal mental health team. These teams are community based and are staffed by a range of professionals offering family focused interventions. These teams work closely with maternity services, health visitors, talking therapies, GPs, other community services and third sector organisations. Your midwife, GP or health visitor will refer you to your local perinatal mental team if more complex support for you is required.

Contact my maternity unit

Portal: What type of help is available? (Related link)

Helplines Support and services

22nd August 20185th March 2024

Self-help tips for postnatal emotional wellbeing

try to sleep when the baby sleeps to minimise tiredness
spend as much time as you like cuddling and holding your baby – this has a soothing and calming effect
accept help with the baby from friends and family (it’s OK to take a break!)
improve diet by eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water
light exercise, or just being outside in fresh air can enhance your mood
socialise (at local baby groups or Children’s Centres) to meet other parents
use the Moment Health app to keep track of your mental health and alert you to changes in your mood.

Moment Health app

Parenting with a mental health problem PANDAS Foundation

22nd August 20188th August 2023

Getting help

Mother making mobile phone call with in a sling strapped to her

It can be difficult to talk about how you are feeling and ask for help. Common reasons for this are:

you may not know what is wrong
you may feel ashamed that you are not enjoying your baby or coping as you believe you should
you may worry that your baby will be taken away.

Asking for help doesn’t mean you can’t cope or are not able to care for your child. It’s the start of getting the right help and support to ensure you can be the parent you want to be. Try talking to someone you trust (friends or family) and contact your midwife, health visitor and/or GP to discuss how you are feeling. Your health care professionals are all trained to recognise postnatal depression and will be able to offer a range of support services to help you. Women with more severe or complex illnesses, for example, severe anxiety, severe depression, psychosis and bipolar affective disorder, should be seen by a specialist perinatal mental health team.

Self-help tips for postnatal emotional wellbeing What type of support is available? Talking therapies

Contact my maternity unit

Beyond Birth Living Library – parents helping other parents Birth Trauma Association Association for Postnatal Illness Make Birth Better Birth Trauma: The Obs Pod, Episode 55