The journey into parenthood can bring joy and fulfilment, along with stress and upheaval.  It can be an emotional time for everyone as you adapt to the needs of your expanding family. 

NHS Wellbeing Services offer a range of free and confidential talking therapies.

You can complete a self-referral online. A wellbeing practitioner will contact you to offer you an appointment.

They can provide specialist support to help you feel better.  This includes video consultation, group therapies, or one-to-one sessions. The support is personalised according to your psychological needs.

If you or your midwife think you need more specialist support, we can refer you to the Perinatal Mental Health team.  To find out more about this team, speak to your midwife, GP or Health visitor.

Further resources:

PaNDAS and APNI (Association for Post Natal Illness) offer free telephone and online support for parents affected by mental illness

Side by Side is an online support community hosted by the mental health charity, Mind.

The Baby Buddy app provides parents with evidence-based information and self-care tools. Users have access to a confidential, text-based Crisis Messenger which provides 24/7 support for new and expectant parents who are feeling extremely anxious or overwhelmed.

I need emergency support

If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

If you need help urgently for your mental health, but it’s not an emergency, call 111 or contact one of the organisations below to get support straight away.

Crisis line

  • Southwest London (Merton, Wandsworth, Sutton, Kingston and Richmond) Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 028 8000.
  • Surrey Mental Health Crisis Line 0800 915 4644.
  • Samaritans – call for free 116 123

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.

Not every birth is a positive experience. Some women will describe feeling afraid or out of control during their birth. Sometimes it can feel hard to make sense of what has happened or how you are feeling.

You may experience symptoms of flashbacks, vivid memories, or sleeping problems.

If symptoms persist, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP and they will be able to help. They may refer you to the perinatal mental health team.

Other support services:

We offer a Birth Reflection service to talk through your birth experience. Birth Trauma Association and Make Birth Better support women and families who have experienced traumatic birth.

If you have good quality baby clothes and equipment you no longer use, you can donate them to any of these charities who will pass them on to families in need:

Having a baby can be a wonderful and fulfilling time in your life. But for some it can also be overwhelming, isolating and unsettling.

Many men experience symptoms of depression after their baby arrives. In fact, 1 in 10 fathers suffer from postnatal depression. View our 'How our you, Dad?' leaflet for more information.