Perinatal mental health support
Discover various support options and services for your mental health during pregnancy and after your baby is born.
These services may include general health and pregnancy support, such as:
There are also specialist services available if you become more unwell or are at risk of becoming more unwell. These services include:
Your GP
You can always speak with your doctor about your mental health. They can explore your treatment and support options, refer you to services, and prescribe medication.
Antenatal Care
During your pregnancy, you’re likely to meet various health professionals. They ought to ask about your mental health and how you’re coping. If they don’t bring it up, don’t hesitate to share any concerns you have.
The NHS website gives information on the health professionals who can help you during pregnancy. Also, the NHS’s Start4Life website provides insights about pregnancy and becoming a new parent.
Your health visitor
Your health visitor can offer support for looking after your baby and managing your mental health. Feel free to discuss any concerns with them, including any challenging feelings or thoughts you might be experiencing.
They can also inform you about other local services or recommend that you talk to your doctor.
Perinatal mental health services
In some parts of the country, there are special mental health services for those who are pregnant or have recently had a baby, especially if they are facing serious mental health challenges or might develop them.
These services are provided by teams of specialist nurses and doctors and include special hospital units.
If you have a history of mental health issues like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis, you could be referred to a perinatal mental health team.
This team will check on your health, manage your medication, and help plan for your baby’s birth. They also support you in becoming more confident as a parent.
However, not all areas in England and Wales have these services, and they might be hard to access because there aren’t enough resources or there are long wait times. To find out what’s available near you, talk to your GP or midwife.
Community mental health teams (CMHTs) and crisis teams
If you have a diagnosed mental health condition, you may already be connected with your local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) or crisis team. They can provide support if specialist perinatal mental health services are not available in your area.
What if I don’t get the support that I need?
The symptoms of perinatal mental health issues can change significantly from day to day, which might make it difficult for health professionals like your GP or midwife to fully grasp your experiences and provide the right support.
If you feel you’re not getting the support you need, it’s important to speak out and discuss this with a health professional. You may need to ask for help several times to receive the necessary support, which can be particularly challenging when you’re struggling with mental health issues.
If it all seems overwhelming, consider involving someone you trust to help you seek assistance, or you might find it beneficial to have the support of an advocate.
Mother and baby units (MBUs) and hospitals
Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) are specialised psychiatric wards within hospitals, designed for mothers facing severe mental health issues during the late stages of pregnancy or after childbirth. If admitted, both you and your baby can receive support there. MBUs provide targeted treatment for your mental health challenges and help you develop parenting skills and bond with your baby.
However, MBUs are few and far between, with each unit having only a limited number of spaces. The Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) website offers a map showing the locations of MBUs across the UK.
If there’s no MBU available, you might be admitted to a general psychiatric ward temporarily. In such instances, it is unlikely that your baby can stay with you. Any separation would be kept as brief as possible to ensure your safety.
Voluntary organisations and charities
There are several voluntary organisations and charities that help families and new parents:
- Family Action provides specialist support for parents dealing with mental health issues, including services during pregnancy and after childbirth.
- Home-Start matches you with a volunteer who can visit your home to offer practical and emotional support.
- NCT offers various courses for new parents and organises activities and social groups through its membership.
- The Association for Post Natal Illness (APNI) provides information and support on postnatal depression, including resources for partners and carers.
- The Breastfeeding Network provides nationwide support on breastfeeding for those with mental health concerns.
Get support
Talk with a trained professional about your thoughts and feelings with out free counselling and private counselling service for people over the age of 18.