Mental Health and Wellbeing

Good mental health before, during, and after your baby is born is vital. Your mental health is as important as your physical health – but it's easy to overlook when there is so much going on. It is thought that up to 1 in 5 women will be affected by mental health problems at some point during pregnancy and the first year following child birth. If you need further support please speak to your Midwife, GP or Health Visitor.

• Mental health in pregnancy | Start4Life
• Emotional changes in pregnancy | Tommys

Creating a Wellbeing Plan can help you start thinking about how you feel emotionally and what support you might need in your pregnancy and after the birth. Complete your pregnancy and post-birth wellbeing plan now.

Useful apps

• Mush app | Find friends who live nearby with kids the same age, arrange meetups, get advice from parenting experts and fellow mums.
• Baby Buddy app | The app guides you through your pregnancy and the first 6 months following your baby's birth. It is designed to help you look after your baby's mental and physical health, as well as your own. 

Online and virtual support

• PANDAS pre- and post-natal depression advice and support | Free helpline: 0808 1961 776 available Monday–Sunday 11am-10pm. Email support: info@pandasfoundation.org.uk available 365 days a year (they will respond within 72 hours).
• Baby Buddy crisis messenger | Text BABYBUDDY to 85258 for free 24/7 confidential text support from a trained volunteer when you’re in emotional pain or a crisis.
• Association of Postnatal Illness | Phone 0207 386 0868 between 10am-2pm or use the live chat.
• Every Mind Matters | Practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Additional support

• Outlook South West | Psychological therapy services for people aged 16 and above in Cornwall. Self-refer directly for help with difficulties such as: stress, low mood, worry, anger, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Finding Yourself Again | A group for mums with post-natal low mood. This 5 week course run by Outlook South West therapists is free to attend. Register interest online or call them on 01208 871905. Or if you prefer, you can ask your GP or Health Visitor about a referral.
• Perinatal Mental Health Team | For more severe mental health problems, a specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team is available. Your midwife will be able to refer you.

Support for partners

• Dads Matter UK | Provide support for dads worried about or suffering from Depression, Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Man Down | Supporting men's mental health in Cornwall. 
• Dads in Mind | A Facebook page for dads who are supporting a partner experiencing anxiety and depression during pregnancy or after birth and who may also be managing their own emotional difficulties when becoming a new parent.
• Pink Parents | Support for gay and lesbian parents.

Videos

Relaxation | With soothing woodland sounds, Lead Professional Midwifery Advocate Sarah-Jane Pedler will guide you through a process of relaxation to bring some calm to your day.

Hope and the black balloon | A journey through Postnatal depression and anxiety.