We’re launching a peer support project to make sure parents struggling with maternal mental health issues are supported when they need it most.
Mental health issues affect at least 1 in 10 women during pregnancy or early parenthood but many of them don’t get the support they need, often suffering in silence. This reflects the fact that there is still stigma surrounding mental health issues, and so many people find it incredibly difficult to be honest about how they’re feeling.
We believe trained perinatal mental health peer supporters have the potential to be real agents for change. They can promote positive mental health in their communities, raise awareness, and support women experiencing perinatal mental illness to engage with specialist services.
That’s why we’re delighted to announce the first location for our Perinatal Mental Health Peer Support Project, which has been named ‘Parents in Mind’. Warwick and Coventry NCT branches have been selected to work together to launch the peer support programme in their local area.
Funded by the Department of Health, the project aims to develop a safe, effective and sustainable model of perinatal mental health peer support. This is an exciting project, with the potential to make a real difference to new parents suffering from mental health issues.
