Mental Health & Emotional Support available for Parents after NICU in the UK
We have collected as much information as we can about the services available to support parents who have been through NICU. This list is not exhaustive, if we have missed anyone who you know can provide this support, please get in touch and we can add to our list.
(We are not affiliated with any of the charities, private practices or websites shared, the aim is just to spread the word about the support that we know of that is available for parents after neonatal care).
If you are in NICU now, please speak to the nurses on your ward about whether there is any psychological support available. There are more and more Clinical Psychology posts being released every week at the moment and there may be someone available to support you on the unit now if you feel it may help you.
NHS
If you are worried about your mental health, or if you want to talk to someone about what you have been through, in the first instance, your first point of contact should be your GP or your health visitor.
Talk to them if:
You are concerned about your mood
You are worried about your thinking
You are worried about your physical health
You are struggling to bond with your baby
Your relationships have been impacted
You are having thoughts about wishing you weren’t here, or harm to yourself, your baby or others around you.
You feel like you are isolating yourself, avoiding things or not engaging in life how you would like to.
You feel like you are impacted in your day to day life because of the experience you have been through
Having flashbacks (strong thoughts, images, sensations) to your birthing experience/ antenatal/ postnatal experiences
Your GP should assess your mental health and refer you to the relevant mental health support on the NHS, this may be general counselling, CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), or in some cases EMDR (Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing- a trauma therapy). You may be referred to a CBT wellbeing service, or your perinatal mental health team. If your child is under one year old you should be fast tracked for support. Most perinatal mental health teams will only see you until your child is one (The referral has to be made by the first birthday).
Most hospitals offer birth reflections if you think it would be helpful to go through your notes and learn more about what happened during your experience of birth, you can access this through your labour ward directly, or through your GP or health visitor.
If you have any complaints about what happened during your birthing experience you can contact PALS.
If you are concerned about risk to yourself or your baby, contact 111, 999, attend your GP or go to A&E depending on the severity. You can also call Samaritans on 116 123
National Charities
Bliss is a charity who supports families who have been in neonatal care, born either premature or sick
Action on Postpartum Psychosis
Association for Postnatal Illness
Maternal Mental Health Alliance
PANDAS offer support for parents with PND and PTSD
The Motherhood Group support Black mothers through the experience of motherhood through events, workshops, peer support,and advocacy
Tommys is a charity that supports parents, they focus on support after loss, but have a lot of resources and support available
Samaritans provides a confidential listening service you can call them on 116 123.
Rainbow Trust support families with a seriously ill child
Anxiety UK have a helpline where you can get support with how you are feeling
Gingerbread provide information and support for single parents
Twins Trust support for families with twins, triplets and more
The Lullaby Trust provides information and support on safer sleep for babies
Little Lullaby for young parents who would like some support around safer sleep advice, mental health and more
Sands support those affected by the death of a baby before or shortly after birth
Dads Matters offer lots of support for Fathers through events, workshops and walks
Perinatal Mental Health Partnership
LGBT Mummies offer support, education and advocate for LGBT+ women
SCOPE provides support for parents who live with a disability
The Smallest Things Charity provide support with returning to work and around your child starting school
AIMS campaign for better births
Approachable Parenting support BAME communities
Birthrights protect human rights in childbirth
Regional Charities
Acacia Family Support, Midlands Postnatal Depression Support Services
SNUG, Devon support Neonatal Users & Graduates
Born Too Soon, South East England A Charity for the Kingston Hospital Neonatal Unit
Tiny Life, Northern Ireland
SSNAP, Oxford
Early Birth Association, Brighton
Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity
Pregnancy Care and Counselling (Scotland)
Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB) Charity, Edinburgh
Leo’s Neonatal, North East England
Neoangels, University Hospitals of North Tees and James Cook
Scoo-B-Doo Neonatal Charity, Gloucester
Little Roo Neonatal,St Peter’s hospital
Spoons Charity - Neonatal Family Support , Manchester
Mothers for Mothers | Postnatal mental health support | Bristol, Bath
Cuddles Charity, Neonatal - Cuddles - Saint Asaph, Wales
Making Miracles Registered Charity - Baby Trauma & Bereavement Care , Maidstone
Best Start for Life | Birmingham City Council
Perinatal Trauma and Loss Service (PETALS) is an NHS therapeutic service supporting women and birthing people, across Greater Manchester who want talking therapy support following a traumatic pregnancy, birth of neonatal experience or following the traumatic loss of a baby. People may be struggling with grief and/or a post-traumatic stress response. People can self refer or call 0161 271 0188
Private Support
Dr Frankie Harrison is a Clinical Psychologist and offers online individual, couples and group therapy for parents who have gone through neonatal care and/ or birth (perinatal) trauma. She is also further trained in EMDR. You can find out more about the type of therapy Frankie can offer and check out FAQs here.
Other therapists who specialise in the perinatal period and have experience of supporting NICU parents:
Kara specialises in baby loss and runs free monthly support groups
Illy is a Midwife and Birth Debrief Facilitator providing private birth debriefs
(This list is not exhaustive, if you would like to be included, please get in touch)
Ways to find a local or online therapist
Always be sure to check out your therapist's credentials, including whether they are with a regulatory body such as the HCPC or the BACP for example.
written by Dr Frankie Harrison www.miraclemoon.co.uk