Support for parents to be and new parents.
Mental and emotional health and wellbeing affect how you:
- think, feel and act
- experience the world
- feel about your life
Taking care of your mental health is important before, during and after your baby is born. Perinatal mental health is your mental health from the start of your pregnancy up to 2 years after you've had the baby, or become a parent or carer.
Becoming a parent is one of the biggest life changes you'll experience, and it can take time to adjust. Your emotions may vary, from feeling a bit low or anxious to feeling completely overwhelmed and struggling to cope.
If you're having mental health problems, you're not alone. Talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor. They can support you, and signpost you to local services that can help you. Your local Children's Centre can also help you with any problems you're having.
Local resources
NHS Talking therapies: a free and confidential NHS service offering a range of Talking Therapies to adults aged 16 and over, who live and are registered with a GP in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Vitaminds: a free and confidential NHS service offering a range of Talking Therapies to adults aged 16 and over, who live and are registered with a GP in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Getting support with your family's emotional wellbeing: resources related to supporting your emotional wellbeing and your relationship with your baby during the perinatal period (pregnancy and up until your infant is 2 years old) from the Community Children's Health Partnership (CCHP).
Mothers for Mothers: support from mothers who have suffered and recovered from depression, anxiety or isolation during pregnancy or after the birth of one or more of their babies.
The Willow Tree Centre: free confidential and unbiased one-to-one listening and support service for women and their partners having difficulties related to unplanned pregnancy and after all types of pregnancy loss.
Home-Start Bristol: offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in Bristol and South Gloucestershire who are going through a difficult time and have at least one child under the age of five.
Emotional wellbeing: information from Community Children's Health Partnership on your child's, and your own wellbeing.
National resources
Mental health in pregnancy: importantinformation from the NHS.
Start for Life: better health, information and advice from the NHS.
Perinatal mental health NHS: perinatal mental health (PMH) problems are mental health problems that happen during pregnancy or in the first year after the birth of a child.
Mind: Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health: information about postnatal depression and other perinatal mental health problems, including possible causes, treatments and support options. Including information for friends and family, support and advice for partners.
PATH UK: for those looking for support and advice around emotional wellbeing and new or existing mental health illnesses.
Dads Matter: support for dads and mums worried about or suffering from depression, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
FamilyLine: Family Action support line, get support via telephone, text, web chat and email.
Family Monsters: a project from Family Action to start a national conversation about the pressures on every family.
NAPAC: support recovery from childhood abuse.