We know that being a parent is not always easy and that we may all sometimes need support. There are ways to access emotional support during the perinatal period. We have provided some links below for accessing support for your mental health and wellbeing.  

• Your GP

• LIGHT Peer Support 

website: https://lightpeersupport.org.uk/,

Light is a peer support charity that offers emotional support to families experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties from pregnancy to two years postnatal. All staff and volunteers have their own individual stories and experiences. Light provides peer to peer support in the form of support groups, 1-1 sessions or via telephone, video call or email.

email: contactus@lightpeersupport.org.uk) for group or one-to-one support from trained volunteers

• The Samaritans (phone: 116 123; email: jo@samaritans.org)

• Sheffield Nightline (phone: 0114 222 8787; email: listening@sheffield.nightline.ac.uk)  

• Sheffield Talking Therapies (STT) 

https://www.sheffieldtalkingtherapies.nhs.uk/ 

STT offers a range of free NHS talking therapies for stress, anxiety and depression to anyone aged 18 or over, registered with a Sheffield GP or is under the care of a Sheffield based consultant. You can book an assessment with STT via their website, or ask your GP to refer you. STT can help you access the support that is right for you with a range of one-to-one therapies, courses and online programmes. 

• Sheffield Perinatal Mental Health Service

https://www.shsc.nhs.uk/services/sheffield-perinatal-mental-health-service 

The Sheffield Perinatal Mental Health Service provides specialist assessment and treatment to women and birthing people, and their families, living in Sheffield and struggling with their mental health or emotional wellbeing around the time of having a baby.  To access the service you must be referred by someone, usually a health or social care professional working in Sheffield. This could be your GP, community mental health team, midwife, health visitor or others. 

If you urgently need to speak to someone or are experiencing extreme emotional distress then please contact the Rethink Mental Illness 24hour Helpline Service on: 0808 801 0440.

If you are under the care of one of the mental health teams it may be you get in touch with them to discuss care options.

Alternatively, contact your GP practice or 111 (option 2 for mental health crisis support).

If you or someone else is at immediate risk of serious harm or injury, you should call the emergency services by dialling 999.