Do you feel your mental health is putting you at risk? Such as thoughts of self-harming, harming others or suicidal thoughts.
To access urgent support please call NHS 24 – dial 111 and choose the mental health option or go online to Mental Health Services at NHS 24
In an emergency situation call 999 or present to your nearest Accident & Emergency department.
It’s ok to tell us how you are really feeling, we are here to support you and provide you with the most appropriate support you need
Is there anyone I can talk to today if I’m struggling?
Samaritans If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won’t judge or tell you what to do – call 116 123 (available 24/7)
Give Us A Shout – here for you 24/7 – text ‘shout’ to 85258
Breathing Space Open up when you’re feeling down – call 0800 838587
PANDAS Post Natal Depression Awareness & Support – call 0808 1961 776
Children 1st Do you feel like you’re at the end of your tether? – call 08000 28 22 33
Your mental health during pregnancy
Emotional highs and lows are natural and normal when you’re pregnant. Most women have good mental health during their pregnancy, though some find it harder to manage. Pregnancy is often a very happy and exciting time. But not every woman feels this way. You may have mixed, or even negative, feelings about being pregnant. If you are finding it difficult to cope with the changes and uncertainties which pregnancy brings you can talk to your midwife or GP. They may think it would be beneficial to refer you to the Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI) team if appropriate. You can find out more information around mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy in the resources below.
Your mental health after the birth and beyond
Having a baby is a big life event, a huge transition of identity. It’s natural to experience a range of emotions and thoughts after giving birth as well as changes within relationships around you. It can feel overwhelming having a tiny person fully dependant on you as well as the thought that a shift of focus of those around you moves from you to your baby. It is normal to feel a variety of feelings from a rush of joy to a sense of emotional numbness. However, if any difficult feelings start to have a noticeable effect on your day-to-day life or bond with your baby, you might be experiencing a perinatal mental health concern. This may be new mental health issue, or an episode you’ve experienced in the past. Reach out and speak to someone, family and friends or your GP or health visitor who can offer support or a referral to services to help navigate your feelings. NHS Grampian now have a Community Perinatal Mental Health team (CPMHT) that can offer support and interventions to mothers aged 18 and over for moderate to severe perinatal mental health concerns and a Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI) team for therapeutic support if appropriate.
Your infant’s mental health
The first 3 years of an infants’ life involves the beginnings of their emotional, social and developmental growth. At times they may struggle to regulate and express emotions and feel confident to explore the environment around them. This period is also the time when infants begin to form attachment to care givers.
You might find it difficult to adjust to being a parent and you may feel there is a lack of bond with your infant. If you are experiencing this or have any other concerns with their mental wellbeing, help is available from your health visitor or support organisations below. If difficulties are not settling, then specialist parent-infant help may be available through the NHS Grampian Infant Mental Health (IMH) team.
Mental health support for dads and non-birthing parents
A non-birthing parent is a parent who does not physically give birth to their child. Becoming a father or non-birthing parent is an amazing experience which can also bring lots of changes and challenges. The first year of your child’s life can be a time of great happiness and joy but also comes with changing emotions, adaptions to your identity with such a big adjustment for both you and your partner. Babies do not come with instruction manuals, and it takes a while to get to know yours and for your family to adapt. It can be hard to balance caring for your baby, yourself and your partner, and your new role may feel overwhelming at times. You may have witnessed your partner having a traumatic pregnancy and/or labour; be struggling with your emotions and/or the bond with your infant. There is support out there for all non-birthing parents be it Fathers, LGBTQ+ families, adoption or Surrogacy – please refer to the resources listed at the end of this page. You can also reach out and talk to your GP or family Health Visitor who may be able to refer you to the Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI) team for therapeutic support if appropriate.
Parent and Infant Mental Health Service
NHS Grampian Parent and Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS) is an umbrella service that brings together the family of specialist infant, maternal & neonatal and perinatal mental health teams. Services consist of:
Directory of support resources for you and your family
Aberdeen Birth Collective Perinatalsupport and doula services
ACIS Aberdeen Counselling & Information
Action on Post Partum Psychosis Supporting and advocating for mums and families affected by postpartum psychosis
ALISS Connecting you to your community
ARC Antenatal Results & Choices
Avenue Support for families and individuals with a focus on relationships, wellbeing and children
Birth in Grampian website – Wellbeing Information on eating well, keeping active, pelvic floor exercises and income maximisation and more
Birth Trauma Association Help for parents who have been traumatised by birth
Bookbug Scottish Book Trust. Discover the benefits of sharing stories, songs and rhymes with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to give them the best start in life
Home-Start Aberdeen Perinatal peer support groups
Home-Start Deeside Home visiting andgroup support
Home-Start Garioch Family support
Home-Start Kincardine Family support
Home-Start North-East Aberdeenshire Home visiting and group support
Inspiring Scotland Parent & infant mental health third sector service directory
LATNEM Mental health peer support group for mums and birthing people
Maternal Mental Health Scotland Information and resources for women, partners and families affected by perinatal mental health issues
Mind – relaxation tips Tips and exercises to help you relax
Moray Wellbeing Hub – Mental health pathways in Moray for children, young people and families
National Childbirth Trust Support, information and friendship to new parents and parents-to-be
NHS Grampian Healthpoint – Your one stop health information point, offering free confidential information, advice and access to reputable services, in a friendly welcoming environment
NHS Inform – Crying Baby Guidance Advice for coping with a crying baby
OPFS One Parent Families Scotland – support and advice
Parent-Infant Foundation Resources and information for parents
PEEP Support for parents and carers through the Learning Together Programme
Pregnancy relaxation videos Meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises by midwife, Mo Tabib
Ready Steady Baby Advice on your mental health and wellbeing in
R-evolution for Good Family support and counselling (Moray)
SANDS Stillbirth and neonatal death support
Silver Cloud Freecourses to help you improve your wellbeing
Solihull Resources Free online modules to support emotional health and wellbeing within families
Surrogacy UK Non-profit support for intended parents and surrogates
Directory of support resources for non-birthing parents
Andy’s Man Club Aberdeen based men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online
Baltic Boys Aberdeen Cold at sea, warm at heart. Wild swimming club for men
Bliss support for LGBTQ+ families Support for all LBGTQIA+ mothers, fathers or parents
Dads Rock Improving outcomes for children – Inspiring Dads and Families
Elgin Dads Private Facebook support group.
Fathers Network Directory Directory of father-friendly groups and organisations across Scotland
Four Pillars LGBTQ+ support Supporting Grampians LGBT+ Community
Gay Dads Scotland Support group for gay fathers
LGBT Health & Wellbeing Scotland’s health and wellbeing charity for LGBTQ+ adults
Man Chat Aberdeen (Aberdeen & Shire) Peer support mental health for men
Men In Mind Local mens peer to peer mental health support Facebook group
Men United (Peterhead) Peer support, mentoring and practical advice for men who are experiencing issues that are having a detrimental effect on their mental health and wellbeing
Mind – partners postnatal mental health Support for partners experiencing perinatal and postnatal depression
Who Let the Dads Out? (Deeside) Inspires and resources churches to support fathers, father-figures and their children