Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
We provide a specialist health visitor service for families in the perinatal period (the antenatal period and up to two years postnatally) who may be experiencing mental health challenges. We also provide group support and sometimes 1:1 emotional health support. Please read our article on why your emotional health really matters.
As well as our specialist health visitors every health visiting team has a perinatal & infant mental health champion who support the local teams to support YOU!
Our groups include:
Brighton & Hove:
Time for Me (Postnatal Emotional Wellbeing support) group:
This is a warm, supportive group which is topic based and, depending on need, may include discussions around expectations of motherhood and changing identity; relationships (mother/baby/partner and wider support networks) and self-care strategies to boost mood.
Referrals: Please contact your health visiting team.
Antenatal (Emotional Wellbeing) support group:
This 6 week (2 hour) session is held at Tarner Family Hub and is aimed at mothers from around 20th to 34th week of pregnancy who may be experiencing anxiety/low mood in the antenatal period and who might benefit from group support. As above, sessions are topic based and focused on supporting emotional health needs of both mums and their babies. The group is co-facilitated with a midwife.
Referrals: Please contact your midwife or health visiting service.
‘Time for Dads’ monthly support group:
This group runs on the last Thursday of every month at Tarner Family Hub between 6 and 7.30pm. It provides an opportunity for fathers – who so often report feeling ‘invisible’ – to feel that they can share their feelings and challenges in a safe and supportive setting with others who get where they are coming from. They may be supporting partners with emotional health issues and/or struggling to manage their own.
Referrals: Please contact your health visiting service.
West Sussex
“Looking after Me” – a postnatal group
We offer running six week “Looking after Me” postnatal groups across the Trust, please contact your local area to be added to the waiting list. These are currently running virtually and in groups.
Referrals: Please contact your health visiting service.
Emotional Wellbeing home visits – 1:1
Offer six weeks of Emotional Wellbeing home visits via your allocated Health Visitor. To support tailored needs in improving mental health and implementing coping strategies.
Referrals: Please contact your health visiting service.
We work closely with:
- The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service
- Time to Talk In West Sussex
- Wellbeing Service in Brighton and Hove
Information For Partners and Family:
- Dad Pad – A free app to support fathers. Download from your app store for free using your postcode
- West Sussex: Mind – resources for families with young children
- Brighton and Hove: Mind – promoting good mental health in our city and across Sussex
Please speak to your local health visitor team if you would like support for your mental health and referrals to the specialist Health Visitors.
