Maternal Mental Health

It’s not unusual for women to experience mental health problems during or after pregnancy. Talk to your midwife or GP, there is help, support and treatment available.

Mental health problems are very common in the perinatal period and up to 1 in 5 women struggle with their wellbeing during this time. We know that women often suffer in silence, but we also know with the right treatment and support that the prognosis is good. The Perinatal Mental Health Service is a specialist multi-disciplinary team providing care and treatment for women who live in Gloucestershire. The Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust team work with women who are seeking pre-pregnancy advice, are pregnant or women referred within nine months of the postnatal period and can remain involved up to 12 months after childbirth. Find out more here

Visit Maternity Voices for more information regarding the support available.

Laura Canty lives in Cheltenham, she is an Expert by Experience for the NHS and author of the memoir ‘Something to live for’ which highlights her experience with post-natal depression following the birth of her son.

Here Laura urges women who may be experiencing negative feelings following childbirth to get the help they need…

The GHCNHSFT Infant Mental Health Team is a core part of local Child and Adolescent Mental Health services and they provide expert support for families who need specialised help.

A multi-disciplinary team, they are highly-skilled mental health professionals with expertise in infant and parent mental health and in supporting and strengthening the important relationships between babies and their parents or carers. Flo Atkins is a Parent and Infant Therapist at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Expert by Experience: Pippa shares her experience of being referred to the GHCNHSFT Infant Mental Health Service and gives her advice for new mums who are feeling the pressure.

Alternatively, take a look at the support available below:

Local Listings

Footsteps Counselling & Care

Footsteps Counselling & Care is a charity which offers counselling and care for anyone in Gloucestershire affected by pregnancy-related issues, the loss of a baby for any reason, traumatic birth, fertility problems and pregnancy-related mental health issues.

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Shine

Shine is a Cirencester-based charity which offers creative art therapy courses, peer support and weekly drop-in sessions for struggling mums dealing with depression and anxiety 

read more

Dad Matters

Dad Matters is part of Home-Start Gloucestershire and provides support for dads with children under 3, including antenatal groups and perinatal mental health support groups.

read more

Mothers in Mind

Mothers in Mind is a peer support drop in group for mums struggling with their mental health and is part of Home-Start Gloucestershire.

read more

Mind

Mind is a mental health support charity and offers a way of finding out what’s available in your area, such as specific BAME groups.

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Every Mind Matters

Simple and practical advice to get a healthier mind and get more out of life – from how to deal with stress and anxiety, to boosting your mood or sleeping better.

read more

Stay Alive App

Stay Alive App is a free suicide prevention resource for the UK, from charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

read more

Shout

Shout is a 24/7 text service, supported by digital mental health charity, Mental Health Innovations.

read more

SANE

If you need help or emotional support visit: www.sane.org.uk  to find out more, access the support forum and text care or other services supported by professionals or volunteers.

read more

Crisis

If you or someone you know over the age of 11 needs help in a mental health crisis, call our crisis team – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

read more

National Listings

Footsteps Counselling & Care

Footsteps Counselling & Care is a charity which offers counselling and care for anyone in Gloucestershire affected by pregnancy-related issues, the loss of a baby for any reason, traumatic birth, fertility problems and pregnancy-related mental health issues.

read more

Shine

Shine is a Cirencester-based charity which offers creative art therapy courses, peer support and weekly drop-in sessions for struggling mums dealing with depression and anxiety 

read more

Dad Matters

Dad Matters is part of Home-Start Gloucestershire and provides support for dads with children under 3, including antenatal groups and perinatal mental health support groups.

read more

Mothers in Mind

Mothers in Mind is a peer support drop in group for mums struggling with their mental health and is part of Home-Start Gloucestershire.

read more

Mind

Mind is a mental health support charity and offers a way of finding out what’s available in your area, such as specific BAME groups.

read more

Every Mind Matters

Simple and practical advice to get a healthier mind and get more out of life – from how to deal with stress and anxiety, to boosting your mood or sleeping better.

read more

Stay Alive App

Stay Alive App is a free suicide prevention resource for the UK, from charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

read more

Shout

Shout is a 24/7 text service, supported by digital mental health charity, Mental Health Innovations.

read more

SANE

If you need help or emotional support visit: www.sane.org.uk  to find out more, access the support forum and text care or other services supported by professionals or volunteers.

read more

Crisis

If you or someone you know over the age of 11 needs help in a mental health crisis, call our crisis team – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

read more
Be Well Gloucestershire
Be Well Gloucestershire

Ask for help if you need it

It can be hard to know where to turn when we’re struggling with our mental health but support is available, from NHS and council-commissioned services to local and national charities. Many services are free, confidential, and you can access them yourself without a referral from a professional.

Support for carers

Find out what support is available to you.

Find Support

Support for children, young people and families

There is a wide range of support for children, young people and families in the county.

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Support for older age groups

More information about additional support that is available for older people locally and nationally.

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Support for ethnic minorities

Find out more about some of the support that is available

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Support for LGBTQ+ communities

Getting help with issues you're struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most important things you can do

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Support for veterans

If you think you or your partner may be experiencing mental health difficulties, you can get expert help

Find Support

Your health and wellbeing

The past year has been a particularly challenging time for everyone but whatever you’re worried about, please reach out for support – help is available

Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111

Contact us

If you can’t find what you are looking for, please get in touch to let us know what mental health support information would be useful to you at this time

Be Well Gloucestershire