Resources

• www.nhs.uk
• Action on Postpartum Psychosis Leaflets on topics including postnatal psychosis, bipolar in pregnancy, and advice for partners
• Bipolar UK: Women and Bipolar Information about pregnancy
• Association for Post Natal Illness: Postnatal Depression
• Maternal OCD
• Birth Trauma Association
• Best Beginnings: Out of the Blue Campaign to improve awareness and access to help for perinatal mental health problems, including informative videos
• Perinatal Positivity: a short video Using the real voices and experiences of women and men who have had mental wellbeing difficulties around the time of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond

1 in 10 dads develop postnatal depression following the birth of their child, and the partners of women affected by perinatal mental health problems are at increased risk of depression themselves.

• NCT information on postnatal depression in fathers

• Tommy’s Charity: Wellbeing in Pregnancy
• Two in Mind Project Information and resources aimed at supporting women in the perinatal period, produced by Mind Cymru and the Welsh Government
• Self Help Techniques from the SMILE Group A charity supporting families affected by postnatal depression (includes information on mindfulness and relaxation)

• Home-Start Charity Practical support and friendship for families with young children
• Family Action Practical, emotional and financial support for those experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across England (includes self-care resources and peer support services)
• Action for Children Offering support for families, and help on fostering, adoption, children in care and disabled children
• Gingerbread Advice, information and practical support for single parents
• MumsAid Free evidence-based counselling with creche support for women during pregnancy and in the two-year postnatal period. There’s also a service for teen mums, YoungMumsAid, for 16-19 year-olds
• NHS Choices Teenage Pregnancy Support  
• Family Nurse Partnership A voluntary NHS programme for first-time young mothers, aged 19 years or under. A specially-trained family nurse visits from early pregnancy until the child is two, working in partnership with the mother to get the best outcome for the new family
• Cry-Sis Support for parents of babies with challenging behaviour, excessive crying and sleeplessness
• Birth Companions London charity providing support to vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers who are, have been or are at risk of going in prison
• Aware NI Charity supporting people with mental health problems in Northern Ireland

• Action on Postpartum Psychosis Peer Support Offers an online forum and peer support from women and their partners with lived experience in a supportive and monitored environment
• Bipolar UK Support Groups Bipolar UK also regularly run workshops on the issues faced by women who have bipolar disorder and want to start a family
• Cocoon Family Support Help and support for those affected by postnatal depression in London
• The SMILE Group Supporting mothers suffering from postnatal depression in the north of England
• Big White Wall An online community for mental health support. Available 24/7 with trained ‘Wall Guides’ ensuring the safety and anonymity of members
• Bluebell A growing charity based in Bristol supporting mums, dads and families who are affected by antenatal or postnatal depression
• Light Sheffield A small charity that offers peer support to mums in the Sheffield area and beyond who are experiencing or have been affected by perinatal mental illness
• Shoreditch Trust Bump Buddies Charitable organisation providing a support network for new mothers through mentoring, activities and confidence building
• Mothers for mothers A charity based in Bristol/South Gloucestershire/Bath/North East Somerset offering support, advice, and information
• Moment Health Website with a free app to check mood and signpost to local support

The following are examples of social media and digital technology you may find supportive. Note: the RCGP cannot take responsibility for social media content, and health professionals are advised to cautiously assess their suitability for individual patients.

• NHS Start for Life Information Service Weekly emails, texts and videos to support families during pregnancy and infancy
• Baby Buddy App for Smart Phone An award-winning app developed by the charity Best Beginnings, which includes videos, information and updates for your pregnancy and postnatal journey
• BirthTraumaChat A peer support Twitter network dealing with birth trauma and PTSD run by Emma Jane Sasaru and Susanne Remic. Emma @unfoldURwings and Susanne @maternitymattrs host #BirthTraumaChat weekly on Twitter (Mondays at 8-9pm). #PTSD and #birthtrauma can also be used to view related Tweets
• Maternity Experience (MatExp) A grassroots campaign connecting healthcare professionals and parents to identify and share best practice across the nation’s maternity services. Also has a closed forum on www.facebook.com/groups/matexp
• Sheffield’s Forging Families Organisation that supports, offers information and promotes health and wellbeing for Sheffield families during the perinatal period. Health promotion materials and discussion are shared via their Facebook page