If you’re feeling worried about how you’re feeling, you can talk to your Midwife, Health Visitor, GP or any other professional involved in your care. There are also lots of things you can do yourself to try improve how you’re feeling.
Referrals to the specialist perinatal mental health team (for women registered with a GP in Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire) can only be accepted from a healthcare professional who is involved with the women’s care. Referrals can be made by clicking here and downloading the referral form and emailing it to hnf-tr.perinatalmentalhealthteam@nhs.net
If the person you talk to isn’t able to offer you the support you need, or if you feel that your concerns haven’t been fully understood, you can contact mental health services directly.
Who are the services that can help me?
Primary Care Mental Health Services: usually your GP, who can offer you advice and guidance for self-directed support, as well as referring you for counselling and therapy.
Secondary Care Mental Health Services: who can offer you support from specialist Consultant Psychiatrists, Mental Health Nurses and other specialist professionals.
Different parents need different support, which is why there are two services. Either of the two can offer you an assessment and to make sure you are offered the most appropriate help.
There is also a specialist perinatal mental health service that covers North Yorkshire and York.
Click here for North Yorkshire and York
Click here for the Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire service
What happens if I’m referred?
The first stage is a brief telephone conversation, sometimes called triage, which will help to direct your referral to the most appropriate service. You can expect that service to contact you to arrange an assessment.
What happens during the assessment?
You’ll go through a series of questions with the professional so they can better understand you, your life and how the team can best support you.
Taking care of yourself
There are lots of things we can all do to try to stay mentally and physically well throughout our lives. If you’d like to get into some good habits as a new or expectant parent, here are some tips you can try and resources you can download. Please remember, if you’re worried about your mental health or that of a loved one, please seek help from your local mental health service.
Stay active
Whether it’s a daily walk with the stroller or a 20-minute yoga video, staying active is brilliant for keeping on top of our mental and physical wellbeing.
Eat well
A balanced diet of nutritious food is good for the body and mind. As a new parent, set meal times might feel a little up in the air, but try to make sure you’re eating regularly and drinking plenty of fluids.
Talk to friends and family
Making time for family and friends is a great way to help your mental wellbeing. If it’s tricky getting out of the house with a new baby, why not phone a family member or ask a friend over for coffee?
Try to get plenty of rest
Missing out on sleep can make anyone feel worse for wear, so try to get rest whenever you can.
Take some time for you
If you can get support from your partner, family or friends, it helps to make some time just for you to do what you enjoy, like reading a book or enjoying a long bath.
