Having children is celebrated as a joyful time full of celebration, but for many, becoming a parent can be destabilising, lonely, and even life-threatening. MBRRACE’s recent report shows that 40% of all maternal deaths (occurring between six weeks and a year after the end of pregnancy) are from mental health related causes. Maternal suicide is the biggest cause of perinatal deaths.
At Wandsworth Care Alliance we’ve been doing health studies and talking to local community organisations to find out more about these issues since 2022. We aim to start a bigger conversation about mental health support for mums and birthing parents, connecting people with the support services they need. For the last 2 years we have been building a healthwatch report on the impact of perinatal mental health, and the way parents access mental health services during this time.
When we spoke to 13 birthing parents from ethnically diverse backgrounds, we found that many didn’t ask for help with their mental health. Issues included not feeling safe to open up with healthcare professionals, experiences of discrimination, and not knowing who to turn to.
A range of factors affected parents during this time, like having a partner for support, having a positive relationship with maternity staff, and 50% of participants claimed that poor housing negatively affected their mental health.
What next?
There is local mental health support available for parents. However, we’re finding out that people might not know where to find it or how to access it.
Talking to the NHS about working together on discussing this issue as part of maternity services will be key over the coming months but there is also action we can take together to make sure that people know where to get support.
Here are 3 support links you can use or share with parents.
Family support
- Wandsworth family information service for online information https://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/wandsworth/fsd/home.page
- Free family hub at the Yvonne Carr centre in Battersea for drop in support and activities https://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/wandsworth/fsd/service.page?id=UImdqx8D-xU
- Healthwatch information and signposting article on becoming a parent Support with emotional well-being for new parents | Healthwatch Wandsworth
- Home start Wandsworth offer practical and emotional support to families with children under the age of 5. Read more and make a referral
Little Village story
“When having a baby you need a lot of stuff,” Jen, the Tooting baby bank manager. Jen first found the baby bank Little Village when she was looking to donate items her child had grown out of. She started volunteering and fell in love with the cause.
Not everybody has everything they need as a parent and Little Village offers free support bundles to Mums in need, with clothes, toys, bassinets and more, available to be delivered, or picked out in their shop experience.
Little Village pride themselves in giving more than just things, with a creche, space to talk and a signposting team. They often hear shocking stories of adversity from local Mums. This Winter, they’ve had more emergency calls from St. George’s Hospital for Mums who can’t be discharged from hospital because they have nothing for the baby to wear or sleep in. Little Village always needs donations and volunteers to deliver this vital work.
Free Events & Support for Mums
- Breathe Melodies know that mental health makes a difference and offer informal Mother and Child singing sessions which are a great way to build bonds and share culture too. Find out more
- Enable offer free fitness classes for Mums every week
- Estate Arts are holding a free Baby & Me morning on 3rd February with life support training
- Women of Wandsworth Mums also offer a chance to meet other Mums at their monthly parents forum. Find out more and contact them here.
- The NHS are promoting early learning and development activity ideas on the Better Start for Life website. Click here
Do you have more resources to share on this story for local Mums? Email communications@wandcareall.org.uk so we can feel each other’s support.