Help for Postnatal Depression and Perinatal Mental Health in the UK

The NHS lists these symptoms: low mood; finding it hard to enjoy anything; feeling hopeless or that you cannot cope; feeling guilty or worthless, or like a bad parent; feeling fearful, anxious or worrying all the time; feeling restless or irritable; difficulty sleeping even when you can rest; difficulty concentrating or making decisions; difficult feelings about, or difficulty bonding with, your baby; and thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself or your baby.

Feeling down, anxious or irritable for a few days after birth is very common, and the NHS says this “baby blues” usually goes away within 2 weeks. If it continues, gets worse or you are struggling to cope, it's important to get help, even if you only have some of the signs. Source: NHS: postnatal depression.

The NHS says to speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if you think you might have postnatal depression. In England, if you're 18 or over (or 16 or over in some areas), you can also refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies without a GP referral: find your local service. Under 18? See NHS: mental health support for children and young people.

The NHS says you may get treatment from your GP, a talking therapies service or a specialist community perinatal mental health team (perinatal means pregnancy and up to 12 months after giving birth). Treatments include talking therapies such as CBT, and antidepressants. The NHS says many antidepressants are safe while breastfeeding, so tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding. It also says postnatal depression usually gets better in 3 to 6 months but can last longer, and is more likely to get better with treatment.

The NHS says you may worry that your baby will be taken away if you ask for help, but this is very rare, and your care team will give you the support you need to care for your baby.

The NHS suggests these, and local support or parent and baby groups:

• PANDAS (Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support): the NHS says it offers online and in-person support groups, a text line and a callback service for families.
• Mind: postnatal depression and perinatal mental health, including how to help someone else.
• Day to day, the NHS suggests talking about your feelings, asking for help with shopping, chores and childcare, getting regular exercise even if it's a short walk, and getting as much sleep and rest as you can.
• Free and low-cost therapy: charities, workplaces, universities and training clinics.

If you want to start sooner, choose who you see, or have longer-term therapy, you can see a private practitioner. Several professions support new and expectant parents, and none is better for everyone. Ask about their experience with postnatal depression and the perinatal period, and whether they offer CBT or another approach:

• Counsellors and psychotherapists with perinatal experience.
• Practitioner psychologists, such as clinical and counselling psychologists, who are on the HCPC register.
• CBT therapists.
• Arts therapists, if putting feelings into words is hard.
• Occupational therapists, who can help with getting back to daily routines.
• Psychiatrists, medical doctors who can assess, diagnose and prescribe.

Whoever you choose, check their register and ask about fees, session length and how you will review progress together. See questions to ask before you book and how much therapy costs. On Therapist Circle, each practitioner's registration is checked when they join, and their profile shows the register and number so you can check it yourself.