Becoming a parent is often portrayed as a joyous time, however for many the reality is very different with reports showing that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men and partners are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy and the first year after birth. The stigma and fear associated with perinatal mental health can leave those affected feeling inadequate as a parent, isolated and vulnerable and can impede or delay getting help, treatment and recovery. 

Untreated perinatal mental health problems present a major public health concern and can have long-term impacts on the physical and mental health outcomes of mothers, babies, partners, and families. It is crucial that families are supported to have positive mental health and wellbeing during the perinatal period.

Early Years and Parental Mental Health:  Wee Minds Matter

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde Infant Mental Health Service, Wee Minds Matter, was set up in 2021 to provide specialist support to parents and their babies during pregnancy, birth, and up to 3 years of age. Wee Minds Matter can support the work of professionals working with infants and their families, for example by supporting infant-focused care planning or providing consultation and reflective space to professionals. Further information can be found here  

NHS GGC Infant and Maternal Mental Health

Further resources to support infant and maternal mental health can be found here  

Healthy Minds resource pack

Healthy Minds is a universal resource which aims to promote basic awareness and understanding of mental health and topics that are associated with and can impact on mental health and wellbeing. It is a cascading and capacity building resource that aims to support partners and organisations deliver on the public mental health agenda. The focus of Healthy Minds is prevention and early intervention. There are a number of training sessions which can be delivered by anyone. New sessions are added periodically for a large range of mental health topics. Click here to access the resource.

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Good Practice Guide

This guide has information and resources on a wide range of topics which are grouped according to protected characteristics as per Equality Law. Topics are wide ranging and include, breastfeeding, eating disorders, peer support, gender based violence, imprisonment, addiction etc. Click here to access the guide.

Early Years Mental Health Improvement Framework 

This framework has been created as a planning tool to help support those working with babies and young children who are under 5 and their parents/carers to plan and deliver mental health improvement activities. It outlines the range of themes that evidence shows promotes positive mental health in the early years and highlights factors that both threaten and support good mental health. Access the framework here  

Parentclub - Wellbeing for Wee Ones  

Information and advice for new parents from Parent Club can be found here

Fathers Network Scotland  

Fathers Network Scotland has a range of information around paternal mental health. You can find out more here

Bereavement Support for Parents, Young People and Children:

There are a a range of Loss and Bereavement services offering support around baby loss including, miscarriage, stillbirth and cot death, some more information on these has been included below.

• My Gov Scot have shared a range of Bereavement support for children and young people on their website. Click here  to view.
• My Gov Scot have shared a range of support if a child or baby dies on their website. Click here to view.
• Baby Loss Retreat Scotland offer counselling and support to families who have suffered any baby loss resulting in miscarriage, stillborn, neonatal death and IVF. Further information can be found here  
• Miscarriage Support provides counselling for women and couples in Scotland who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal loss. Further information can be found here
• SANDS exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this happened and for as long as they need support. Find out more here
• Scottish Cot Death Trust offer support to anyone in Scotland affected by the sudden unexpected death of a baby or young child. Still Birth and Neonatal Death. Access their website here

The Glasgow City HSCP Health Improvement Team have pulled together a list of key strategy and policy links regarding Mental Health and Early Years. These documents should be used to inform planning and delivery within your establishment and school community.  

These documents are a useful resource to build a knowledge base around current priorities and work around Mental Health and Early Years in Glasgow and across Scotland. Please note that clicking on these documents will take you to external websites. 

Scottish Government Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027

Scottish Government Voice of the Infant: best practice guidelines and infant pledge