Pre and postnatal mental health support

Support during COVID-19?

The Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service are prioritising services (delivery and family hubs) so that face-to-face contact will only continue where safe to do so. They are working very hard to ensure they keep providing you with a safe and high quality service over telephone around mental health support, breastfeeding advice and health visitors support:

Mid Essex Tel: 0300 247 0014
North Essex Tel: 0300 247 0015
South Essex Tel: 0300 247 0013
West Essex Tel: 0300 247 0122

The NCT have released some tips to deal with anxiety during COVID-19.

The Institute of Health Visiting have put together a Parenting through Coronavirus webpage with links and resources from trusted organisations and websites to support your mental health.

Having a baby during COVID-19?

The NCT have put together some useful FAQs for you about Coronavirus and pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and using formula.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) provides this advice and guidance for your information purposes only:

Support for mums to be and their families in Essex

The Perinatal Mental Health Service from Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) provides community-based treatment and support for mums, mums-to-be and their families. The service is available to women during the perinatal period (during pregnancy and up to baby’s first birthday) who are experiencing, or are likely to experience mental health difficulties.

Pre-pregnancy advice

If you are not yet pregnant but are planning to have a baby, and you have a diagnosed mental illness, are on medication for your mental health or have experienced previous serious postnatal difficulties, they can support you by providing pre-pregnancy advice and guidance about possible risks and treatment options.

Other useful links

Royal College of Psychiatrists– You might be worried about how COVID-19 and the news around it can affect your pregnancy, your baby or your mental health. This resource is for any woman who is planning a pregnancy, is pregnant or has recently had a baby and is worried about her mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s also for their partners, families and friends.
Perinatal Mental health Partnership UK- Facebook Page general support and guidance – this page provides lots of useful information for parents about staying well and managing mental health problems during pregnancy and after having a baby.
PANDAS– Mental health support for pregnant and new parents. PANDAS offer a free helpline 0808 1961 776 and email support Monday-Sunday offering signposting and a listening ear for parents experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after having a baby.
Centre for Interactive Mental Health Services – Bliss– Bliss is an 8 session interactive online therapy program for depression that you complete on your own. The program is based on psychotherapy treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT for short. CBT has been shown to be effective treatment for depression. The program is designed to teach you techniques that have been shown to be effective at improving your mood and mental health.
PND and Me- Twitter Chat by @PNDandme every Wednesday 8-9pm and on Facebook. A very popular forum providing peer support for mothers and fathers during pregnancy and after having a baby who are experiencing difficulties with their emotional and mental health.
Action on PostPartum Psychosis – APP provide evidence-based information and support for families who have experience of postpartum psychosis or who feel they or a family member is experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis. This guidance offers information about accessing services, support and treatment during the Coronavirus outbreak.