Mental health service for new mums to get £600k boost

MENTAL health services for pregnant women and new mums in five west London boroughs are to receive a £600,000 cash injection.

The NHS North West London CCG (NWL CCG) has been awarded more than half a million to spend on pre and post-natal mental health care in Brent, Harrow, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow.

Mums-to-be in Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow will have their mental health care extended from six to 12 months after giving birth, while in Brent and Harrow the money means more families will have access to mental health support during and after pregnancy.

NWL CCG announced the news at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 14 to May 20) and says families will benefit from this funding through support that is easily accessible and closer to home.

There will also be increased access to specialist community services, improved care in inpatient mother and baby units and better resources and information provided for fathers to help them look after their own mental health and support their partners.

Dr Annabel Crowe, mental health clinical director for the NWL CCG, said: “It is one of our priorities over the next few years to make it easier for children, young people and their families to access mental health support. It is really important to intervene as early as possible.

“The funding will go a long way to helping us support women and families that need our help at such a vulnerable time.”

According to leading pregnancy charity Tommy’s, one in 10 women experience mental health issues during, before and after pregnancy.

Tommy’s midwife Anna Nella gave the following tips.

Getting your endorphins or “happy hormones” going can be great for your mental health.

What you eat can affect your mood and energy levels – it is important to eat a varied and balanced diet during pregnancy.

This can be hard if you have been suffering from nausea but try and avoid foods high in fat and sugar and opt for slow burning carbohydrates like wholegrain rice and bread instead.

This can be difficult at some stages of pregnancy but getting enough sleep (eight hours a day) is fundamental to having good mental health.

It is normal to have periods of feeling worried or low when you are pregnant or after birth, but if these feelings do not go away it is important to talk to your midwife or GP about how you are feeling so they can help you.

Ideally you would do this before you get pregnant to talk about preconceptual care so that if you are on medication this can be adjusted or changed.

If you become pregnant when you had not been planning to you should speak to your GP as soon as possible.