Published on: 30 April 2024
Maternal Mental Health Week (29 April – 5 May 2024) is a weeklong campaign dedicated to generating conversation about mental health problems that occur before, during and after pregnancy.
Derbyshire has a perinatal mental health service run by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust that supports people who are about to give birth, or who have recently given birth. The service includes community teams and an inpatient (hospital) unit for those requiring more round-the-clock care.
The perinatal community team service is now accepting self-referrals from Derbyshire residents, as well as referrals from health professionals like GPs.
Kerby Walker, Interim Perinatal Clinical Lead at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “If you live in Derbyshire, are more than 12 weeks pregnant or have given birth within the past 24 months and you have experienced changes in your mood or an increase in anxiety, you can self-refer to the perinatal service for an appointment to discuss how you are feeling and identify what support you need going forward. This might be the first time you are feeling this way, or you may have felt this way before. Either way, we want to hear from you.”
The Perinatal team can be contacted on 01332 623911 (Derby) or 01246 216523 (Chesterfield) or emailed at: dhcft.perinatalcmht@nhs.net . There is also a self-referral form on the perinatal page of the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website.
Award-winning walking group
Receiving the right support at the right time can have an enormous impact on an individual’s psychological wellbeing and mental health. Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s perinatal teams are working hard to remove these barriers to support mums and their loved ones – including a walking group for people who are struggling with their mental health before, during and after pregnancy.
The award-winning, weekly walking group has been designed for those who are struggling with their mental health. The group focuses on the challenge often felt by people with perinatal mental health problems who lack the confidence to leave the house and meet other people.
A range of Trust staff, including Peer Support Workers and Nursery Nurses, help the walkers with the practical side of getting up and out of the house. A member of staff offers an initial telephone call to support and provides additional help if there are people wanting to join, but their anxieties are holding them back.
Ginette Varty, Nursery Nurse who helped organise the walking group at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The walking group allows people to meet in a safe space without the pressures of sitting in a group and provides the opportunity to walk, talk and share experiences in the fresh air.
“It is a great way to receive support from NHS staff and peers. The walk starts from a venue that is easily accessible and offers free parking and toilets. Healthcare professionals join the walk and offer extra support.
“Once completed, the walkers are given a certificate with how many steps they have walked, to highlight how far they have come.”
Since its launch, around 40 people have joined the group so far this year, with a waiting list of others wanting to join.
Perinatal team set to take on fundraiser next month for postpartum psychosis awareness
Throughout May, staff at The Beeches perinatal unit in Derby are taking part in Action on Postpartum Psychosis' fundraising event – Miles for Mums and Babies. Staff plan to walk, run or cycle a mile for every person on the unit, to help raise awareness around perinatal mental health.
It is estimated that up to one in four mothers are affected by perinatal mental health problems before, during or after pregnancy. Perinatal mental health covers a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression and postpartum psychosis. If left untreated, it can have a significant and long-lasting effects on individuals and their partners, children and families.
The Beeches team will aim to complete 1240 miles – this figure was chosen as the current unit opened in 1993 and on average helps 40 families a year.
Ginette said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Perinatal team to be involved in showing the demand for this service as more and more individuals are recognising the need to access perinatal support. This fundraiser will help to raise awareness around the importance of talking about perinatal mental health concerns to those in the communities we serve, and hopefully help to remove any associated stigma.”
