Mums Matter is a service designed by mums for mums and has been hugely successful in other parts of the UK already.
It is an early intervention service aimed at mums who are struggling to enjoy their pregnancy or baby due to mild to moderate mental health problems : anxiety, depression, low mood, intrusive or worrying thoughts etc.
Mums Matter offers a safe, supportive environment to meet other mums in the same boat. It provides an opportunity to talk through issues and offers a toolkit of helpful CBT based strategies they can use to help with feeling better. Encouraging ongoing peer support is also built into the course.
It is a short 8-week course that includes 1 session for partners or supporting family members. The perinatal period is typically considered to be during pregnancy and up to a year after birth. But we know that many mums don't realise their experience is not 'normal' until around a year , so we don't have a cut-off point. It's suitable for pregnant mums and those with babies and toddlers. The course also offers a creche facility so mums can attend without worrying about childcare considerations.
Mums can be referred to this service by a health professional or they can self-refer.
Our new course starts at Borth at Borth Family Centre on the 16th of September, and we are taking referrals now.
We know that this service will be of real benefit to perinatal mental health services in Ceredigion and we are hoping that if this course is successful, we will be able to run more courses in and around Aberystwyth on a regular basis.
