Getting support with your family’s emotional wellbeing

These resources are related to supporting your emotional wellbeing and your relationship with your baby during the perinatal period (pregnancy and up until your infant is 2 years old).

All Health Visitors are trained to support parents and infants with their emotional wellbeing and mental health. As part of this, Health Visitors or other members of the team will talk to you about how you’re feeling and this may include inviting you to answer some simple routine questions to support your emotional wellbeing.

When we talk about emotional wellbeing this encompasses mental health conditions as well as the way that we experience the world and feel about our situation. Promoting emotional wellbeing is about supporting people to feel positive and function well, not just treating symptoms of mental ill health.

We know that lots of people who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing (for a whole range of reasons) may find it hard to tell a professional about how they are feeling because of the stigma associated with this. We want to reassure you that all of these feelings are normal and it is your Health Visitor’s role to provide compassionate and non-judgmental support for you and your family, whatever you’re going through.

Resources

Perinatal Positivity Short Film Filmed in Bristol with local, real-life stories.

PATH UK  A resource hub for parents, co-parents and intended parents who are planning a pregnancy, preparing for a baby, or adapting to life with a newborn and are seeking support and advice around emotional wellbeing and new, emerging or existing mental health illnesses.

Home – PANDAS Foundation UK PANDAS foundation is a community offering peer-to-peer support to families via a free helpline/text/email in addition to social media group support and supports perinatal mental health and well-being. 

Getting to know your baby (leaflet) (The video links in the leaflet do not work, please use the link below).

Getting to know your baby (short videos on the 6 baby states)

Building a Happy Baby (leaflet)

Bonding with your baby - BBC Tiny Happy People Fun ideas for simple ways to bond with your baby or child.

Samaritans Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 for free and it won’t show up on your phone history.

Apps

Baby Buddy Whether you're a mum, dad, co-parent or caregiver, Baby Buddy is here to empower you to feel confident, giving you the knowledge and practical skills to look after yourself and give your child the best start.

DadPad The essential guide for new dads.

Local support

Vitaminds NHS-funded evidence-based talking therapies.

Bluebell Supporting parents’ mental health and wellbeing (including Dads in Mind service).

Mothers for Mothers Peer support women with lived experience of perinatal mental health issues who offer support, advice and information (including information for dads and partners).

Home-Start Bristol and South Glos or Home-Start North Somerset Free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents.

Rockabye A group to support you and nourish your relationship with your baby through sharing experiences with other parents, singing and sensory play. It runs for 10-12 weeks in Children’s Centres across Bristol, for parents and pre-crawling babies. (At present Bristol only but please review website for changes).

Project MAMA Birth support for migrant or asylum-seeking women in Bristol (anyone with a BS postcode).

Children’s Centres – accessed via your local authority website (Bristol/North Somerset/South Glos). Services vary by area but may include antenatal or postnatal groups, infant massage and one-to-one support.

AWP Crisis/Intensive Support Team (open 24/7) 0800 953 1919 to use if urgent mental health support needed at any point.

Vita 24/7 Helpline (Open 24/7) 0800 0126549. For anyone over 18 living in BNSSG, to access emotional support and advice from trained counsellors.