Maternal mental health campaign launched by council

Peterborough City Council published its own video highlighting the mental health struggles some parents faced

A local council has encouraged parents struggling with their mental health to seek help as part of a national initiative.

Peterborough City Council and its family hubs have launched their own campaign to coincide with Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.

The local authority said up to 20% of women were impacted by perinatal mental health problems during and after pregnancy.

One mother, speaking anonymously, said a local charity helped support her.

Originally from London, she moved to the city with a newborn daughter during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said her mental health went "down hill" after her second daughter was born, but she saw posters about a connecting Muslim mums group run by CPSL Mind.

“I wondered what sort of mum it made me look like if I asked for help. But, those I spoke to made me feel that asking for help was OK," she said.

“I had lots of broken areas of my life and the group allowed me space to talk these through.

“It spurred me on. Each week I would leave feeling positive and wanted to do something for myself.

“The [CPSL Mind] group encouraged me to get out of the house and I started setting myself little goals - like going to get a coffee with my baby."

She is in the process of becoming a volunteer with the charity.

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council's family hubs said: “Maternal mental health impacts both mums and dads and it can be difficult to spot the signs.

"We want to encourage them to take that first step and ask for help.”