Creating positive relationships is the theme of this year’s Parent Mental Health Day (Saturday 27 January), which is now in its second year.
The awareness day is organised by stem4, a charity that supports young people to build positive mental health, and is an opportunity for parents and carers to discuss their struggles, and learn and share ways of connecting positively as a family.
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) runs a number of services and networks to support parents, carers and families.
Families with babies and toddlers
Our 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.
Our clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and parent-infant therapists will meet with you to understand your needs and offer a safe and non-judgemental space to help you understand and navigate the difficulties you may be facing.
We support families during pregnancy and until their child is two years old.
We understand families come in different forms and accept referrals for all people who identify as a primary care-giver for the child. You do not need to speak to your GP or healthcare professional to be referred to the service. You can find out more on the Together with Baby service webpage.
We also run one of the largest specialist community perinatal mental health services in the country.
If you are pregnant and are experiencing or are likely to experience mental health difficulties where you might benefit from specialist support, the team can provide expert advice. Where needed, they can help you and your family plan to have a safe, healthy pregnancy, and support you with your wellbeing and relationship with your baby.
If you are not yet pregnant but are planning to have a baby and have a diagnosed mental illness or are on medication for your mental health, they can support you by providing advice and guidance about possible risks and treatment options.
You can speak to any health or social care professional supporting you to consider if a referral is needed. You can find out more on the Perinatal Mental Health Service Team webpage.
Families with young adults
Our Essex Mental Health Family Group Conferencing Service works with adults aged 18 to 65 who are under secondary mental health services and their self-identified network.
The team supports them to take the lead in planning and managing their recovery, or address safeguarding concerns, with input from family, friends and professionals.
Conferences can include anyone who is important to the individual – from their children to their care co-ordinator – and the process is holistic and focused on finding solutions.
Referrals to the Family Group Conferencing Service can come from the individuals themselves or from professionals.
Families who have experienced a perinatal loss
The By Your Side service offers therapeutic care and grief therapy for people who have experienced a perinatal loss, including a miscarriage, still birth, neonatal death or planned termination.
The service offers a compassionate and safe space for people who have experienced a loss and to help them feel less isolated in their experience.
The service is provided by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with midwifery colleagues.
We offer a mix of video consultations, telephone appointments, face-to-face assessments and treatment in perinatal hubs and home visits, based on your individual needs.
The service is currently available to patients aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP in Southend, Rochford, Castle Point, Basildon, Brentwood, and Thurrock.
We hope the service will become countywide by April this year.
If you feel you would benefit from a referral, please speak to your midwife, GP, health visitor, social worker, mental health service or a support charity.
More information can be found on the By Your Side information page.
Support groups
We also have a number of support groups for families and carers of people who are receiving treatment from our mental health services.
The I Care Support Group brings together loved ones and carers of people living with personality disorder and/or complex emotional needs.
The aim is to allow people to share their experiences and helpful information, and to know they are not alone.
For more information, email [email protected]
The Eating Disorders Service also has a new support group for loved ones and carers of people living with an eating disorder.
The group brings together people with shared experience in a supportive space. The aim is to support members through conversation, sharing experiences and resources, and by listening to each other.
For more information, email [email protected]
Peer support from other organisations
There is also lots of support from other organisations in Essex.
Families who are struggling during pregnancy or within a year of their baby’s birth may find it helpful to speak to a local peer support group.
Peer supporters are there to listen and talk about any worries, including if you feel unsupported, isolated, lonely or anxious, are concerned about financial or housing issues, or just feel like you’re not coping well.
They can help parents emotionally and practically, both before your baby is born and afterwards.
The Essex Peer to Parent Network has a list of groups in Essex.
#WeCare – We want everyone who uses our services to have the best possible experience. Our care will be therapeutic, tailored to each patient’s individual needs, and focus on what they need to feel better.
Our five-year Strategic Plan sets out our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible.
