This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is reminding new mothers who may be struggling with their mental health that they are not alone.
The Trust runs one of the largest specialist community perinatal mental health services in the country and, in the last year, received more than 4,000 referrals for new mothers.
Around 22,000 babies are born in Essex every year and EPUT provides a range of services to support parents, carers and families before, during and after pregnancy.
Having a baby brings a mix of emotions and any parent can be affected by mental health challenges during their pregnancy or after their baby is born – help is available from a number of EPUT services:
The community perinatal mental health service supports people who are pregnant and are experiencing, or are likely to experience, mental health difficulties and might benefit from specialist support. Where needed, they can help people and their families plan to have a safe, healthy pregnancy, and support with wellbeing and the relationship with the baby.
Those who are not yet pregnant but are planning to have a baby and have a diagnosed mental illness, or are on medication for their mental health, are also supported by providing advice and guidance about possible risks and treatment options.
The service has recently been shortlisted in the Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards in the categories for Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health and Quality Improvement and/or Service Transformation.
It works closely with maternity hospitals, health visitors, GPs, other mental health services, social care, charities and community organisations to provide holistic treatment and support for families.
The Essex Perinatal Mental Health Service has five hubs based close to the county’s five acute maternity hospitals.
You can find out more on the perinatal mental health service webpage.
EPUT’s Together with Baby service (Essex Parent Infant Mental Health Service) supports parents to better understand their baby’s emotional responses and communication, and strengthen their relationship with their child.
Clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and parent-infant therapists will meet with parents to understand their needs and offer a safe and non-judgemental space to help them understand and navigate the difficulties they may be facing.
The service supports families during pregnancy and until their child is two years old. Find out more on the Together with Baby service webpage.
EPUT’s specialist Rainbow Mother and Baby Unit in Chelmsford provides inpatient mental health care and treatment for women during the late stages of pregnancy and up to one year after the birth of their baby.
The team also offer support to their families and carers and aim to help new parents develop strong relationships with their baby and support network. Find out more on the Rainbow Mother and Baby Unit webpage.
Losing a baby is devastating and the By Your Side service was launched to offer therapeutic care and grief therapy to people who were pregnant and have experienced a perinatal loss. The service offers a compassionate and safe space for people who have lost a baby through miscarriage, still birth, neonatal death or a planned termination. More information can be found on the By Your Side webpage.