We recognise that having a baby is a time of huge change for all members of a family. When a family member who has had a baby and experiences a perinatal mental illness the whole family can be affected.
Becoming a parent can be a stressful time. Dads and partners often experience worries, pressures, changes in relationships, sleep disturbances and changes in routine in the early weeks and months.
Research tells us that between 1 and 3 Dads and partners suffer from low mood, anxiety, and postnatal depression. This rises for Dads and partners who are supporting a partner with a perinatal mental health illness or after a traumatic birth.
We offer a self-assessment to all Dads and Partners of women or birthing people under our service. We will ask your partner for consent to contact you regarding a self-assessment. It is your choice if you would like to take this offer. We can support you to complete the self assessment form which asks you some questions about how you are feeling. This can identify if you might need further support and a member of our team can then let you know where you could get this support. This is an informal and confidential opportunity for you to receive signposting from our team. You can request this at any time by speaking to the health care professional involved. Please use contact details overleaf to request this.
Following assessment a range of evidence based treatment options can be offered in the community or on the Mother and Baby Unit. Treatment options are wide ranging and can include but are not limited to:
- Individual and group sessions focusing on psychological, social and emotional factors
- Psychological therapy
- Medication
- Parent/infant Interventions
- Interventions which support bonding and attachment
Care can be delivered by a range of professionals who are allocated following assessment according to individual need. This can look different on the Mother and Baby Unit where various professionals can provide more intensive support in an inpatient setting. Professionals who might be involved include- Community Psychiatrist Nurses; Occupational Therapists; Peer Support Workers; Nursery Nurses; Psychologists, Psychiatrists or Perinatal Social Workers.
We encourage Dads, partners and family members to be involved in discussions and decisions about a persons care, treatment and discharge. We will listen to you and work with you to support your loved ones to get the right care. We can provide you with information on your loved ones perinatal mental health illness or treatment.
We will have a conversation with all patients under our care to ask them who they consent to us sharing information with prior to discussing.
If you feel concerned that your partner’s condition is getting worse or feel you need some support then please contact:
Community, your partner or loved ones, Health Care Professional involved or the duty worker who can be contacted on the team numbers XXXXX
Mother and Baby Unit, your partner or loved ones, Named Nurse, Named Nursery Nurse or Consultant Psychiatrists. Alternatively any staff member on the ward can support you.
Please be aware that due to patient confidentiality we may not be able to discuss all aspects of their care without their permission, but we will listen to any concerns you share with us.