Having a baby is an amazing time but it can also be worrying, as things don’t always turn out as expected. Lack of sleep, changes to relationships, breastfeeding and other challenges can make you...
Having a baby is an amazing time but it can also be worrying, as things don’t always turn out as expected. Lack of sleep, changes to relationships, breastfeeding and other challenges can make you feel low or anxious. While we are in these unprecedented times, this uncertainty can add to existing pressures and demands of new parents and can impact in their mental wellbeing.
Maternal Mental Health week, running from 4th – 10th May, aims to offer reassurance to parents that they are not alone in how they feel during this uncertain period and to remind families of the support that is still available to them.
Support continues to be available across Warwickshire for parents whether that is through virtual support groups, health care and services dedicated to new parents to help support their mental wellbeing. Dr Lucy Blunt shared a video highlighting the importance of accessing support when you need it, available here
Through collaboration with By Your Side - a local peer support group for parents who have experienced perinatal mental health issues - and specialist Health Visitors for parent infant mental health for South Warwickshire Foundation NHS Trust, a COVID-19 Wellbeing Resource Pack has been developed. The pack pulls together local and national resources and provides suggested ideas on self-care, emotional wellbeing, and ways of accessing support.
Any new parents finding it difficult to cope at the moment are encouraged to contact their health visitor via phone or through the CHAT Health text advice line on 07520615293 anytime (the line is manned by duty Health Visitors 9-5 Mon-Fri) and can offer help and signpost to additional services where needed. Health visitors are trained to listen, and the health visiting service now also has three Specialist Health Visitors for Parent-Infant Mental Health Health who can offer more detailed support, if needed.
By Your Side and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust Health Visiting Services are also running a week of online activities and support sessions. You can keep up to date with the different events and activities here Facebook.com/ByYourSidePerinatal
If you’d like to access support as expectant or new parents, click here
For further advice about mental health support, click here