Parent emotional support
Having a baby can be one of the most exciting experiences any person can go through, but it can also come with fear, concerns and worry. This is normal.
At Southwark we are dedicated to supporting you through the ups and downs of parenting. Find out what help is available to support your emotional wellbeing.
How having a baby can affect your emotions
It's different for every person, but many parents experience:
- isolation
- fatigue and feeling overwhelmed
- low mood and anxiety
- worries about bonding with your baby
It’s also important to remember that these feelings can come in cycles or waves. It's normal to feel a combination of these feelings in any order.
Get help over the phone - important numbers
If you need urgent help but it’s not an emergency
- SLaM 24 hour crisis line: 0800 731 2864 for connection to local mental health services including crisis support teams
- NHS: 111 for urgent advice
- Samaritans: 116 123 for a safe space to talk
All of these lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency
- phone 999 and ask for an ambulance
Get support in Southwark
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Healthy Minds Thrive
We are a part of the Family Hubs and Start for Life initiative. We support our parents and carers with their emotional wellbeing and help them develop healthy relationships with their babies.
Who we support
We support all parents including:
- mothers and fathers
- single parents
- carers, foster parents and adopting parents
- grandparents, aunts and uncles
- other supporting family members
How we can support you
We understand reaching out can be complicated, so we will offer you the service that best supports your individual needs. This can come in the form of:
- 1-2-1 sessions
- group sessions
- whole family support
- providing you with resources (physical or virtual)
- signposting and referring you to the right person
Our support can help with:
- increasing your confidence in yourself and in navigating parenting
- reducing experiences of stress and low mood
- feeling less isolated
- helping you find and build your 'village'
- improving bonding with baby
- understanding that your experience is normal!
Contact us
We are located at these Southwark Children and Family Centres:
You can self-refer or ask anyone from your support team to contact us for you.
Email Healthymindsthrive@southwark.gov.uk or call 07405 761 161.
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Wellbeing Champions
Reach out and speak to one of the Wellbeing Champions, based in all our Children and Family Centres. We can provide advice and help you access services.
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Southwark Parental Mental Health Team
The Southwark Parentalal Mental Health Team is an early intervention nurse-led service. We support parents with children aged 0 to 5 who are experiencing emotional distress.
How we can support you
We provide:
- in-home mental health and emotional support assessment
- help for parents to adjust to parent-hood
- therapeutic groups
- support to access other services
Contact us
Email parental_mental_health_team_southwark@slam.nhs.uk or call 020 3228 9800
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CAMHS Under 5s Service
This is an early intervention service. We work with parents to support the social development and wellbeing of babies and young children.
How we can support you
We can:
- build stronger relationships between parents and babies or young children
- help you understand young children’s feelings and behaviours
- help children and parents who may have experienced stress
- improve your confidence with your children
Contact us
Email: carol.hardy@slam.nhs.uk or james.maclaren@slam.nhs.uk or call 020 3228 1440
Page last updated: 25 June 2024
