A new campaign has launched in Barnsley to highlight the signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health.
Research shows that 27% of new and expectant mums, and up to 20% of dads will experience a perinatal mental illness. If left untreated, mental health issues can have significant and long-lasting effect on families.
The campaign highlights the most common signs of perinatal mental health and how talking to family and friends, or reaching out to local support services, can help expectant parents and parents of children up to two years of age enjoy the special first stages of their children’s lives.
Some signs and symptoms include feeling down, depressed or hopeless, finding it hard to sleep, worrying uncontrollably, feeling guilt, worry for you own or your baby’s health, argumentative or irritable, struggling to connect with your bump or baby, or feelings of wanting to harm yourself or others.
Many pregnant women, new mums, dads or co parents do not reach out for help due to the stigma attached, especially at a time when being a new parent is meant to be an exciting time.
A fear of intervention with social services, the expectations on dads to be ‘the strong parent’ and parents not recognising they are experiencing perinatal mental health issues are all common barriers when it comes to addressing perinatal mental health issues.
The campaign aims to break down these barriers and encourage more men and women to seek perinatal mental health support through local support services.
Working with local health and care professionals, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council have put together an animated video to highlight the signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health, signposting parents experiencing these to talk to friends and family and contact vital local support services for help.
The video and supporting campaign material will be displayed in Barnsley Hospital, health settings around the community, the Barnsley Virtual Family Hub, in Family Hub and community outreach buildings and supporting social media channels. Expectant parents and new mums and dads can watch the video on the Barnsley Family Hubs YouTube channel.
Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “In Barnsley, we want expectant parents, new mums and dads and their babies to have the best possible chance of having healthier, happier lives. I’m delighted to see our new perinatal mental health campaign which will highlight important signs and symptoms and help encourage people who are struggling reach out for help.
“I want to thank our health professionals and everyone involved in this campaign for helping raise awareness and continuing to help break down barriers attached to perinatal mental health. You’re helping people reach out for help across Barnsley.”
Alicia Sansome, Head of Public Health at Barnsley Council, said: The health and wellbeing of parents to help give newborn babies the best possible start in life is our priority in Barnsley. We want to see parents and their young babies bond and experience the joy of becoming new parents during the critical first 1001 days of a child’s life.
“We’re really excited to launch our perinatal mental health signs and symptoms campaign in Barnsley. It’s a testament to the dedication of our professionals in wanting to help support people in our local communities and we hope this encourages expectant and new parents to reach out sooner for support if they are experiencing symptoms of perinatal mental health.”
If you are experiencing symptoms of perinatal mental health or you know of someone who is, you are not alone and there is help and support available. Talk to your family or friends, your Health Visitor, your GP, Midwife, or local Family Hub. Call 999 or 111 in emergencies.
