4 Mental Health Resources for New Parents
Mental health issues are a common occurrence among parents of newborn and young babies.
UK Government figures suggest that Perinatal Mental Health problems affect between 10 to 20% of women during pregnancy in the first year.
It is worth considering that these figures are from women only.
Furthermore, these are only the mothers that have reported feeling unwell.
What of those Mothers who have not sought medical advice or support?
Or Fathers, partners and other family members who have felt a decrease in mental health since the arrival of a newborn baby.
Fortunately, there are now an increasing amount of supportive organisations on hand.
Helping families cope with mental health issues when a new family member arrives.
Here are 4 Mental Health Resources for New Parents:
1. NCT
NCT is the UK’s leading charity for parents, right through your pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Every year, NCT supports thousands of expectant and new parents across the UK.
Offering a wide range of support to empower parents of newborn babies and infants.
The organisation supports and empowers over 80,000 parents every year through a variety of services tailored to meet their needs.
Including antenatal and postnatal courses delivered by skilled practitioners. Additionally, a range of free community-based activities and events led by fantastic volunteers.
Furthermore, highly valued breastfeeding and infant feeding support is provided by specialist NCT breastfeeding counselors.
In addition, a range of trained peer support programs supports women and families facing specific challenges.
These include topics such as social isolation, feeding difficulties, or poor mental health.
For further information about NCT, their website can be found here.
2. Dad Matters
Lancashire-based Dad Matters is an organisation aimed at supporting Dads through childbirth and beyond.
Established in 2017, this particular organisation is run for Dads by Dads.
The service offers support for the common mental health challenges that can and often develop for Dad’s, such as stress and anxiety and a lack of sleep.
Dad Matters have a very active social media program, allowing followers to engage in discussion via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
With over 13,000 social media followers it is clear to see that the movement for offering support to Dads of newborn babies is strong.
A following that continues to grow. Offering Dad’s a place to share and to listen to other examples of Dad’s. Those who have overcome mental health challenges post-child-birth.
For more information about Dad Matters, take a look at the website, with social media links available at the bottom of the front page.
3. NHS Mental Health Help
The National Health Service speaks for itself.
Formed in 1948 the NHS was brought about through hard work and dedication from those that truly believed in new ideas about services, health and medical ethics.
As the second-largest single-payer healthcare system in the world, the NHS provides an informative online resource.
Covering a wide variety of mental health topics, with advice, support and guidance offered for symptoms of:
– Stress
– Anxiety
– Depression
– OCD
There are several solutions offered by the NHS to help support Mental Health issues.
Aside from medicine, the NHS also offers self-help and talking therapies.
These are additional options to help improve mental well-being.
4. Pandas
Pandas are an organisation specifically created to support families who experience Post-natal Depression.
Essentially, Pandas consist of a team of trained and dedicated volunteers.
Many of whom are studying and/or working within healthcare, midwifery, or health services.
A free helpline is available for support and advice with empathy.
Subsequently, lines are open 7 days a week, 11 am until 10 pm.
Additionally, support can be found via text message, e-mail, online, and face-to-face support groups.
The Pandas Foundation can be found by clicking here.
Additional Help
As a highly experienced Maternity Nurse and mother of a son and daughter both now of adult age. I am able to provide specific support.
Both of my pregnancies were high risk, resulting in premature birth and requiring time in NICU.
Furthermore, the combination of these two experiences drove me to become a Maternity Nurse, something I have been doing successfully since 2009.
Are you concerned about your mental health postnatally? If so I can assist and support you with the essential aspects of caring for a newborn or infant child.
This enables parents to build a support network for the immediate and longer term. In turn, creating a happy and settled family environment.
Feel free to reach out to me to discuss any postnatal concerns you may have. Alternatively, you may also find my article 5 Tips For Self Care useful to read.
