Effective psychological therapies for new and expectant parents
Why is perinatal mental health Important?
- An estimated 20% of women develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth.
- Being pregnant and becoming a parent can be difficult and can lead to an increase in stress and mental health problems such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, worry, etc.
What about dads?
1 in 3 dads are concerned about their mental health and 3 in 4 dads are worried about their partner’s mental health
Could this service be for you?
Are you expecting a baby of have you become a parent in the last 12 months? If so are you experiencing any of the following?
- Fear about giving birth
- Unexpected feelings about your pregnancy or your baby
- Difficult memories relating to a previous birth
- Worrying about bringing up a baby on your own
- Low mood, sadness, tearfulness
- Anxiety, worry, tension
- Irritability
- Worrying thoughts about your baby
- Thoughts of harming your baby
- Poor sleep, even when your baby sleeps well
- Feeling unable to cope or enjoy anything
- Socially isolated
- Thinking you are not a good parent.
- Changing relationships with your partner because of the baby
- Extra responsibilities
- Lack of sleep
Although many of these thoughts and feelings can be common in the perinatal period, if you are concerned or if they are having a significant impact on your day to day life then NHS North Cumbria Talking Therapies may be able to help.
How may we be able to help?
Our team offers treatments for mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety disorders (e.g. OCD, chronic worry, panic) and depression using a range of treatments including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), counselling, online CBT, EMDR, etc.
To find out which intervention would best meet your needs, we would first talk to you on the phone or face-to-face. Then together we can decide on the best option for you. We will liaise with your midwife and health visitor (as well as your GP to ensure you get the most appropriate care).
If you would like to be referred to North Cumbria Talking Therapies then speak to your GP, Midwife or Health Visitor who can make a referral for you or you can refer yourself online