Mental health support

Your mental health is as important as your physical health during pregnancy and parenthood, so it is important that you pay attention to how you are feeling and try to look after your emotional and mental health.

Perinatal mental health

Perinatal mental health refers to mental health difficulties that begin during pregnancy (antenatal), or in the first 2 years of a baby’s life (post-partum). It is natural to experience a variety of emotions when becoming a mother but if you are feeling low, anxious or experiencing other challenging emotions that are affecting your life, they may be signs of a perinatal mental health condition.

Find help

Speak to your doctor or midwife about these difficulties as early as possible. They should be able to direct you to the most appropriate support, such as making a referral to the perinatal mental health services or other emotional support.

Fathers and co-parents can play an important role in supporting their partner, helping with the effects of poor maternal mental health. They may also face mental health concerns such as anxieties and worries.

Find more information about relationships after having a baby on the NHS website.

Further information

The following websites provide information about support with perinatal mental health:

Mind in Croydon 

Mind is a mental health charity and a provider of mental health services in Croydon. It works to promote good mental health and to help people to lead a full life as part of their local community.

https://www.mindincroydon.org.uk

 

South London and Maudsley NHS (SLAM)

The perinatal mental health team at South London and Maudsley NHS is a multidisciplinary mental health service for pregnant and postnatal women with severe and complex mental illness. The team aims to prevent, detect, and treat perinatal mental health problems. They work to improve the experience of pregnancy and the postpartum period for women and their families, as well as early life experiences for babies.

https://slam.nhs.uk/service-detail/service/perinatal-service-128/   

 

Tommy's wellbeing plan

Tommy’s is a charity that offers a tool to create a wellbeing plan to help you look after yourself throughout and after your pregnancy.

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/calculators-tools-resources 

 

Croydon NHS Talking Therapies Service

Croydon NHS talking therapies service is free and confidential and available to anyone 17 years and older who is registered with a Croydon GP, or living in the borough. 

https://croydontalkingtherapies.nhs.uk