Supporting mothers in need with MumsAid
During March 2023 Whistlefish is donating funds to MumsAid for greeting cards* sold across stores and online at whistlefish.com
This is part of the Whistlefish '1 Good Cause' campaign - supporting a different charity each month by fundraising via card sales.
Read more about 1 Good Cause here >
MumsAid is a multi-award-winning charity that provides life-changing support to pregnant women, mums and their families through specialist counselling, therapeutic group work and advocacy support.
Started in 2012, MumsAid is now a nationally recognised charity. Established to support mothers who are struggling with their mental health, MumsAid is able to set up counselling that mothers might not have known how to access before. Becoming a parent is a big step in life and MumsAid is here to help single mums, couples and families transition into parenthood more easily.
It's estimated that 1 in 5 women in the UK develop a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the first year of their baby's life. Very few women know that help and support is available to them. Dr Miriam Donaghy is the Founder of MumsAid; she experienced struggling mums every day and noticed there wasn't enough support for them all.
“After more than 14 years working as a psychotherapist specialising in perinatal support, it was clear to see that the most effective approach was one that could be tailored to best suit the individual needs of the mother and her baby. That was when I decided to start MumsAid and provide perinatal counselling that was realistic, family-friendly and focused on finding solutions.”
“The way our counselling services have grown over the past few years is a testament to that personalised and flexible approach and we are committed to sustaining and developing our support to help even more mums and their families.” says Miriam.
MumsAid is there to help support mums who are feeling overwhelmed with motherhood. Admitting to someone that you're not feeling overjoyed with your new baby can be an incredibly hard thing to admit. MumsAid wants to help break the stigma and let people know they are not alone and support is there. If a mother goes untreated for a perinatal mental health disorder for too long it can start to affect the baby's well-being.
What is Perinatal Mental Health?
Prenatal refers to the time period before birth, during pregnancy. Post-natal refers to after a baby is born. Perinatal covers both these instances.
Perinatal mental health includes issues such as depression that have occurred during this time period.
Depression during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby is unfortunately the most common mental illness mums-to-be and new mums suffer with; according to the NHS, approximately 14% of mothers are affected.
Perinatal problems can last during pregnancy and up to a year after the baby has been born, this is often known as postpartum depression.
Where can mums get help with their mental health?
What started as a small start-up charity has become a nationally recognised charity that supports women all over the country. MumsAid wants to make their services as accessible as possible so they hold meetings in easily accessible locations, such as local community centres, where mums and families are invited to come down and receive counselling sessions and when possible, there is even a creche set up for the little ones to play.
All you need to do is contact MumsAid via email at info@mums-aid.org call 077 5876 3908 or even fill out a referral form on their website www.mums-aid.org
How to know if someone you know is suffering from Perinatal Mental Health/ postpartum depression difficulties?
An NHS report claims that 27% of mums suffer from PMH, there is a wide range of symptoms to look out for if you think someone you know might be Perinatal Mental Health:
- Low mood
- Mood swings and feeling irritable
- Significant weight or appetite change
- Inability to think clearly or concentrate
- Panic attacks
- Avoidance behaviours, for example, towards the baby or social interactions
Read more symptoms of Maternal Mental Health difficulties here >
How can I help someone suffering from Perinatal Mental Health difficulties (PMH)?
- Ask about them not just the baby
- Ask when is the best time for you to visit
- Take them cooked meals
- Offer to hold, change or feed the baby (but respect any rules)
- Offer practical help like doing the dishes or vacuuming for example
- Don't give unsolicited advice
- Encourage them to get fresh air
If you believe the problem is more extreme and out of your hands, refer them to a support service. A specialist service like MumsAid can help with the following:
- 1:1 counselling
- Group therapy
- Restore birth trauma group
- Mighty Acorns SEND group
- 24 HR Text service
How Whistlefish is going to help MumsAid
1p from every Whistlefish card sale during March will be donated to MumsAid. These funds will allow MumsAid to continue providing 1:1 counselling and peer support groups for expectant and new mums struggling with mental health difficulties.
Whistlefish have introduced a new campaign called '1 Good Cause'; this campaign supports a different charity each month. If you purchase greeting cards during March, you will be donating to this wonderful charity.
You can also donate directly to them via their website www.mums-aid.org
You can alternatively follow them on social media @Mums_aid and share content to spread awareness of the MumsAid charity.
