The NSPCC joined forces with maternity and mental health professionals at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) on Thursday to mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and connect with parents about the support available to them.
The charity took part in a special drop-in event at the RVI’s antenatal clinic, speaking directly to parents and parents-to-be about their mental health and wellbeing.
A range of services were represented on the day, with professionals later visiting antenatal and postnatal wards to reach as many families as possible.
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is a national campaign organised by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance to raise awareness of mental health problems before, during and after pregnancy.
It also aims to challenge stigma and encourage conversations around perinatal mental health, which affects around 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers.
Graham Carey-Briggs, Social Worker with the NSPCC’s Pregnancy in Mind programme, said: “It’s so valuable to be part of this event at the RVI once again. It’s a brilliant opportunity to talk to parents directly, encourage open conversations about how they’re feeling, and make sure they know there’s a wide network of support available to them.
“Pregnancy and early parenthood can be overwhelming, and we want to make it clear that no one has to face it alone.”
The NSPCC’s Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) service offers structured mental health support for expectant parents who are experiencing, or at risk of, mild to moderate anxiety or depression.
Delivered in small groups, the programme combines mindfulness techniques, education about baby brain development, social connection, and coping strategies to support parents’ wellbeing during pregnancy.
Supporting parents’ mental health in the perinatal period helps to promote healthy parent-infant relationships, which are essential for a child’s development. The NSPCC also offers additional help through the Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign, encouraging early bonding and communication between parents and their babies. Free weekly tips, online tools, and local events help families turn everyday moments into opportunities for connection and learning.
Alongside the NSPCC, other services taking part on the day included Newcastle Talking Therapies, Little Minds in Mind, the Perinatal Mental Health Team, Specialist Health Visitors, Maternity Counselling, and the National Literacy Trust. Staff were on hand to explain what support is available locally and how families can access it.
Abi Spencer, Specialist Midwife for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism at the RVI, said: “We were thrilled to host this event again for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and to have the NSPCC with us. Newcastle has a strong network of professionals working together to ensure parents feel heard, supported and empowered.
“We want all families to know it’s OK to talk about how you’re feeling, and to reach out to your midwife, GP or health visitor if you need support.”
To learn more about Pregnancy in Mind and the NSPCC’s parental mental health services, visit https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/services-children-families/pregnancy-in-mind.
For free and confidential support, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.