As a parent or carer, you may need support to help you manage the challenges that come with caring for children.
It is important to be kind to yourself and acknowledge the difficult thoughts and feelings, which may interrupt nurturing interactions between you and your baby.
Look after yourself as best you can. That might mean taking a longer shower when you get the chance, enjoying a cup of tea, spending a few minutes in the garden if you can, or just having a chat with a trusted friend. Don’t feel the need to take on extra challenges or be highly productive if you feel unable to.
If your mood is persistently low and you are more tearful or irritable than is manageable, ask for help from your Midwife, GP, Health Visitor, or at a Children’s Centre/Family Hub as early as possible.
Anxiety and depression can affect anyone at any time. Your mental health can change during pregnancy and after having your baby. This includes dads and carers too. The earlier you get help the better.
Support services available
Light Peer Support - For families affected by perinatal mental health illness. Email, text and telephone support is available, as well as face to face and one-to-one support.
NHS Rotherham Talking Therapies - A range of talking therapies for common mental health difficulties, such as anxiety, depression or stress. If you are 18 or over, experiencing symptoms of these and would like help to manage them, you can complete a self-referral form online.
The Rotherham Crisis team - Call 0800 804 8999 or 111 and select the mental health option. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a crisis telephone line accessible to everyone, offering triage, advice, signposting, and follow-up appointments. They also conduct thorough face-to-face assessments and consultations.
