Maternal and paternal mental health

If you’ve suffered with a mental health issue before your pregnancy, have developed one throughout pregnancy or after the birth of your baby it’s important to get the right help and support.

If you have a history of mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, previous post-partum psychosis, schizophrenia or severe depression please make sure that your midwife, GP or health visitor is aware before you have your baby so they can get you the specialist support you may need.

Struggling with mental health may be more common in pregnancy and in the first year after your baby is born than you might think, affecting dads as well as mums. Between 10 and 20 per cent of women develop a problem such as antenatal or postnatal depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or post-partum psychosis.

These conditions can develop suddenly and can include a range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It’s important to know that you are not alone and there are plenty of people that are able to support you. Speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP for advice.

Perinatal Mental Health team – Wakefield

Mums and dads can contact the Perinatal Mental Health service on 01924 316009 Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm if you are 18 years and over.

Mums and dads under 18, please contact the Children and Adolescents Mental Health service React on 01977 735865 Monday-Sunday, 9.00am-8.00pm.

If you are struggling with mild-moderate mental illness, would like to try talking therapy and are registered with a GP in the Wakefield District, you can call 01924 234860 for an assessment from Turning Point Talking Therapies. This is also for mums and dads.

Specialist Mother and Baby Mental Health service – Bradford

This service provides advice and support to women with a history of or with current severe mental health issues. You will need to be referred by your health professional to this service, but you can find out more on the service’s webpage.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s First Response team on 0800 952 1181 – this 24/7 service is for people of all ages living in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.

Did you know?

First Response

If you live in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven and are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call our First Response service on Telephone: 0800 952 1181. This service is for people of all ages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you live in Wakefield and are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call: 01924 316900 , any time.

Further information

Post-natal depression - NHS information

Symptoms of postnatal depression, getting help, treatment options, causes and myths.

Mind - postnatal depression

Having a baby is a big life event, and it’s natural to experience a range of emotions and reactions during and after your pregnancy. This website talks about when these feelings get more serious, possible causes and treatment and support available.

Postnatal depression information for carers

If you’re a partner supporting a mum with postnatal depression, it’s important you look after your mental wellbeing as well. Helpful information for partners is available on this website.

Bradford district and Craven Talking Therapies

Bradford district and Craven Talking Therapies is a free and confidential NHS service for people aged 16 and over that helps you to manage everyday problems such as feeling low, having problems sleeping, feeling anxious and experiencing stress.

Tommys.org

Although it’s normal to have periods of worry and stress when you’re pregnant, some women have feelings that don’t go away and this can be a sign of something more serious. This website can help you to build a pregnancy and post-birth wellbeing plan.

Birth Trauma Association

Birth trauma can occur if instead of a happy, joyful experience you find your birth a scary one. Birth trauma can make it difficult to bond with your baby. It’s also possible for your partner to experience birth trauma. This website gives you more information and how to get support.

Postnatal depression in Dads

Having a baby is a time of big change for all the family. 1 in 10 dads experience postnatal depression or anxiety. The treatment for postnatal depression or anxiety in dads is the same as for mums.

Perinatal OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can develop or get worse during pregnancy or after the birth of your baby. This website provides help and support if you are experiencing OCD symptoms.

Perinatal OCD for carers

If your partner has developed OCD during pregnancy or after the birth of your baby it’s important you can understand what they are going through and also take care of your own mental wellbeing. This website gives lots of helpful advice.

Post-partum psychosis for carers

Looking after someone with post-partum psychosis can be demanding. It’s important to take care of yourself as well. This website provides lots of helpful advice for carers.

Healthy Minds

The Healthy Minds website provides mental health information, advice and support in Bradford District and Craven.

Every Mind Matters

Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. There are simple things we can all do to look after our mental health and wellbeing – this website offers a free plan, expert advice and practical tips.

Luke's Lads

Luke's Lads, based in Batley, encourages and offers mental health support and offers sessions for men to talk about their feelings in an alternative environment.

Better Start Bradford

Better Start Bradford work with families to give children the best possible start in life in Bowling and Bakerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton through a range of innovative projects to support them through pregnancy and the earliest years of their children’s lives.

Well Woman - Wakefield

Women can contact the Wakefield-based charity Well Woman on 01924 211114. They provide mental health, emotional and practical support in a women-only space.

Andy's Man Club - Wakefield

Andy's Man Club is a support service for men with mental health struggles. They have meetings at Castleford Tigers RLFC, Wheldon Road, Castleford WF10 2SD, Pontefract Collieries FC, Beechnut Lane, Pontefract, WF8 4QE, and Elite Training, Unit 3 Silcoates Street, Wakefield, WF2 0DX.