In this episode of the Tea & Toast podcast, the team discuss mental health and mental ill health before and after birth. Joined by midwifery lecturer and researcher Dr. Catriona Jones, they discuss why this can be such a vulnerable time for parents' mental health and consider what strategies and support might help.

Accessing support around mental health in the perinatal period

If you have any concerns about your own or someone else's mental health before or after birth, the team strongly recommend you talk to one of your healthcare team - who you pick within the team is less important than choosing someone you feel comfortable talking to.

If you feel you need further support, or just want to know more about mental health issues around birth, a wide variety of organisations work in this area. Some of these include:

Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/about-maternal-mental-health-problems/

Maternal Mental Health Alliance
https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about/the-issue/

Family Action
https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/early-years/perinatal-support-services/

Pandas (support with postnatal depression)
https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/