Postnatal mental health

What happens in the first few years of a child’s life can shape their whole life.

Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.

It's a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners.

It's important to get help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last for months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family.

With the right support most people make a full recovery.

There are a range of ways to receive support and information:

• get urgent help for mental health
• Centre for Interactive Mental Health Services
• Anxiety UK
• OCD Action online support groups
• view the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS self help leaflets - there is one about postnatal depression and one about anxiety
• read about getting to know your baby

Your relationship with your partner

Find advice and support around:

• your relationship as new parents
• sex and intimacy
• coping with a traumatic birth

Mental health and wellbeing support for all the family

Find out more about accessing health visiting support for you and your family. In addition, find resources for emotional health and wellbeing for fathers and emotional health and wellbeing for mothers.

Postnatal mental health videos

Watch the following videos about:

• Antenatal Education
• Postnatal Education
• Perinatal positivity
• Mosaic Films - stories of postnatal depression

Postnatal Mental Health Calendar

We will update this content shortly.