Having a baby is a major life event for mums and dads, and it's natural to experience a range of emotions and reactions during and after the pregnancy. But if they start to have a big impact on day to day life, it might be a sign of a mental health problem.

At least one in five women experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth. This might be a new problem or another episode of a mental health problem they have experienced before. Dads can also suffer from mental illness relating to the birth of their baby. This is now becoming more recognised. These are known as perinatal mental health problems and include range of issues such as depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), psychosis and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Previous mental health issues can be a factor so it is important that you tell your midwife/GP/Health Visitor about this especially if it is a diagnosed illness and you have needed treatment. This can help with early intervention and prevention.

It can be really hard to talk openly about how you're feeling when you become a new parent but it's important to ask for help or support if you need it. You're likely to find that many new mothers are feeling the same way.

You might feel:

• pressure to be happy and excited
• like you have to be on top of everything
• worried you're a bad parent if you're struggling with your mental health
• worried that your baby will be taken away from you if you admit how you're feeling

You can listen to the experiences of other women who have experienced emotional or mental health difficulties around the birth of a child by visiting www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health.

Sometimes it is family and friends who recognise that a mum is ill and they are often crucial in supporting that woman to seek help.

Nationally there have been campaigns to raise the awareness of PNMH and to address reducing the stigma

Here in North East Lincolnshire we would like to improve the services available to families experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties and would love to hear your views, thoughts and experiences.

If you have suffered from perinatal mental illness or have some thoughts on this please attend one of our informal and welcoming workshops on:

12^th July                      Immingham Children’s Centre            2pm to 4pm

13^th July                      Riverside Children’s Centre                2pm to 4pm

14^th July                      Reynolds Children’s Centre                2pm to 4pm

19^th July                      Nunsthorpe Children’s Centre            2pm to 4pm

20^th July                      East Marsh Children’s  Centre            2pm to 4pm

Or alternatively please complete our survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BW3KVWR

You can listen to the experiences of other women who have experienced emotional or mental health difficulties around the birth of a child HERE

To request printed version of the survey please email nelccg.accord@nhs.net  or call 0300 3000 567