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Psychosis: Support for dads and co parents

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Psychosis: Support for dads and co parents

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Postpartum psychosis is a traumatic experience for both women and their partners. Find information and support for dads and co-parents here.

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Postpartum psychosis is a traumatic experience for both women and their partners. Find information and support for dads and co-parents here.

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About Tough to Talk.

Tough to Talk is the UK's leading Men's Mental Heath charity dedicated to breaking the silence that leads to suicide. We do it through POSITIVE ACTION.

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Donate to Tough To Talk | Support Men’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

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Help save men’s lives. Donate to Tough To Talk today and fund suicide prevention, Tough Talks™, and training that breaks stigma and builds hope.

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PostpartumMen is a place for men with concerns about depression, anxiety or other problems with mood after the birth of a child. It promotes self-help, provides important information for fathers – including a self-assessment for postpartum depression – hosts an online forum for dads to talk to each other, offers resources, gathers new information about men’s experiences postpartum, and – most importantly – helps fathers to beat the baby blues.

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PostpartumMen is a place for men with concerns about depression, anxiety or other problems with mood after the birth of a child. It promotes self-help, provides important information for fathers - including a self-assessment for postpartum depression - hosts an online forum for dads to talk to each other, offers resources, gathers new information about men's experiences postpartum, and - most importantly - helps fathers to beat the baby blues.

Yes, men do get postpartum depression. It's a fact that most people - and even many health professionals - don't know. As a result, most men with postpartum depression suffer in isolation. With PostpartumMen, these dads are no longer alone.

こちらは日本の公共放送（NHK）で放送された、 産後うつについての番組です。ぜひご覧ください。
En Espanol, nueva revista historia, "Depresion Posparto Masculina." View Article
PostpartumMen Awarded 5 Stars!
See Below to Learn More
Remember seeing your baby for the first time? You were probably filled with pride and excitement. That's what you always heard it was like having a child - pure joy. Baby bliss.

Then, reality sets in. Sleepless nights. A screaming infant needing nearly constant care. Fights with your partner. Going to work exhausted.

Then, over time, you've noticed things have gotten worse.

Now, you've lost your sense of humor, and there's not much to look forward to. You've started getting more anxious or panicky. You've had trouble sleeping. And you're miserable a lot of the time.

Or perhaps you've been irritable. You're getting more stressed at work and getting angry with your wife. Maybe you've noticed you're drinking more - or withdrawing from people.

These are all signs of men's depression. You may think you should just "get over it" - and that you must be the only guy who can't. But you're not the only one.

Every day, over 1,000 new dads in the United States become depressed. And according to some studies, that number is as high as 2,700. That's 1 in 10 to as many as 1 in 4 new dads who have postpartum depression. Whatever the exact number, we know that a lot of fathers are suffering from this painful condition.

The truth is, depression, anxiety and other mood disorders are common. In fact, they're just as common - and just as real - as physical problems, like heart disease and diabetes. They can also be as crippling.

Now, contrary to what you might think, admitting you're depressed isn't admitting defeat. It's admitting there's hope. And it's taking charge of your life.

Postpartum depression in dads - or PPND (for Paternal Postnatal Depression) - is a very serious condition. Without effective treatment, it can result in damaging, long-term consequences for a man, his child, and his entire family. But with proper treatment and support, men can fully recover from PPND.

Depression isn't something a guy can simply "get over." It's a health condition that needs to be treated - just like a bad heart or injured knee. PostpartumMen is a place for you to find the strength and courage you need to get your life back on track.

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PostpartumMen is a place for men with concerns about depression, anxiety or other problems with mood after the birth of a child. It promotes self-help, provides important information for fathers - including a self-assessment for postpartum depression - hosts an online forum for dads to talk to each other, offers resources, gathers new information about men's experiences postpartum, and - most importantly - helps fathers to beat the baby blues.

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We provide expert guidance, McKenzie Friends, and steadfast support for fathers navigating the family court, CAFCASS, non-molestation orders, false allegations, and alienating behaviours.

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Our October adventure was a resounding success, not only did we manage to raise much-needed funds, allowing us to continue our support for dads, mums, children, and whole family groups. The Snowdon ascent allowed members of Dads Matter to come together, some for the first time, and not only demonstrate our dedication towards one another but, more importantly, show our commitment to each other and our individual issues.

It was also an amazing opportunity to meet with some of our TikTok friends and hear about their amazing journey too.

We especially loved hearing about the journey, trials, and tribulations of one of our closest friends "ThatCMSguy" have a look at his channel for more information and amazing interviews HERE

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Dads Matter UK provides support and information for dads throughout the UK. Whether you're a new dad or an experienced father, our website offers resources to help you be the best dad you can be.

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FIVEXMORE is the UK’s leading women’s health organisation focused on Black maternal health. Their mission is to empower, support, and advocate for Black women, ensuring they receive the respectful, equitable, and high-quality care they deserve during pregnancy and beyond.

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WE NEED YOUR HELP

Our team is working tirelessly to increase awareness of the disparities in maternal mortality rates for black women in the U.K.

With your support Five X More has an ambitious and exciting plan to play a leading role in eradicating the statistics for good.

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Our team is working tirelessly to increase awareness of the disparities in maternal mortality rates for black women in the U.K. With your support Five X More has an ambitious and exciting plan to play a leading role in eradicating the statistics for good.

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Please follow us for information and updates from all 3 of our perinatal mental health services (Thrive, PMHCS, Rosewood MBU).

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Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you’re into with the people who get you.

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YOUR BABY’S CRYING AND SLEEPING: A guide to coping in the first few months

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YOUR BABY’S CRYING AND SLEEPING: A guide to coping in the first few months

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The birth of a baby is an exciting time

– but often a challenging one too.

Parents need to find ways to cope with night waking, a lack of sleep, crying which doesn’t always make sense, and with strong and

sometimes overwhelming emotions. It can take time to feel things are back in control. See this guide for information and support.

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YOUR BABY’S CRYING AND SLEEPING: A guide to coping in the first few months

# data[].attributes.subject
YOUR BABY’S CRYING AND SLEEPING: A guide to coping in the first few months

# data[].attributes.body
The birth of a baby is an exciting time

– but often a challenging one too.

Parents need to find ways to cope with night waking, a lack of sleep, crying which doesn’t always make sense, and with strong and

sometimes overwhelming emotions. It can take time to feel things are back in control. See this guide for information and support.

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Supporting Your Neurodivergent Perinatal Mental Health

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Supporting Your Neurodivergent Perinatal Mental Health

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This guide is for anyone medically or self diagnosed as neurodivergent. It aims to provide help with managing the sensory and executive functioning challenges, communicating your needs, and getting support.

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A collection of resources on ND Birth YouTube channel.

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Please follow us for information and updates from all 3 of our perinatal mental health services (Thrive, PMHCS, Rosewood MBU).

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Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you’re into with the people who get you.

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Dads & Partners: Toolkit for Seeking Help

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Dads & Partners: Toolkit for Seeking Help

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PANDS ‘I need help’’ download is a resource to help you have a conversation about the way you are feeling – mentally, physically, and emotionally – with your GP, health visitor, midwife, social worker or another healthcare professional providing you with support.

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Please find details of urgent support.

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Need help in a mental health crisis or emergency?

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Contacts for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust patients, non-patients and emergencies.

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Kent Enablement Service Help Desk Information

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Kent Enablement Service Help Desk Information

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They are available for information and advice with, letters, bills, activities, college, and education courses, paid and voluntary employment, keeping safe, housing, health and wellbeing, benefits, and forms etc. The service is free, and no appointments are necessary.

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Supporting Parents: Parents with a history of complex trauma

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Supporting Parents: Parents with a history of complex trauma

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In this website you will find video and audio clips of professionals explaining complex trauma and its effects and how it can link with a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder. There are also helpful suggestions in these clips of how to respond to parents who have experienced complex trauma. This section also includes links to papers and articles with more background information on the impact of complex trauma and effective responses.

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Parents with a history of complex trauma | Supporting Parents

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Practitioners have noted that while each parent has their own unique story and experiences, many parents who have experienced recurrent care proceedings have themselves experienced significant and multiple adverse experiences in their own childhood (ACEs) and have continued to face trauma and difficulties as adults, compounded by the trauma of having their children taken away. These experiences can have a negative impact on parents’ views about support services and on their ability to trust services, which could help them.

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Established in 2002, Pregnancy Sickness Support is the only UK registered charity that provides vital emotional and practical support for those suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), including a national peer support network, specialist counselling, and evidence-based information.

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Our small yet tenacious team, backed by heartfelt donations and committed supporters, drives vital research and advocacy to tackle these conditions.

Our goal is simple yet profound: to expand our reach, offering hope and delivering expert support.

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Our small yet tenacious team, backed by heartfelt donations and committed supporters, drives vital research and advocacy to tackle these conditions. Our goal is simple yet profound: to expand our reach, offering hope and delivering expert support.

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The Angry Mom’s Guide to Self-Regulation

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The Angry Mom’s Guide to Self-Regulation

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This free book by Emilie Delworth offers practical guidance and tangible steps with the aim to support you in recognising and managing overwhelming/difficult feelings.

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Supporting Neurodivergent people in pregnancy, birth and beyond. Neurodivergent Birth was launched in 2023 by doula Victoria White, with the aim of increasing understanding and awareness of neurodivergent perinatal experiences. You can find here resources for you and professionals to help your birth and postnatal experience.

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Reasonable Adjustments Toolkit

In the UK, under the Equality Act 2010, we have the right as neurodivergent people to request 'reasonable adjustments' to the way a service is delivered so that it is accessible to us. This includes changes to the way maternity care is provided. The 'Reasonable Adjustments Toolkit' can be used as a standalone document to communicate your support needs, can be used a part of a Birth Plan, or can be used simply as a prompt to help you consider what is most important to you. You can download it for free here.

Sensory Toolkit

Our environment has a huge impact on how we feel during labour, birth and postnatally, and this is even more pertinent when we experience sensory processing issues and/or sensory sensitivities. Our Sensory Toolkit infographics prompt you to consider how your sensory comfort can be supported during labour, birth and the postnatal time. We have a 'Home' and 'Hospital' edition, and you can download them for free here.

GET THE DOWNLOADABLE FILES FOR FREE NOW!

If you would like to receive further useful resources, please sign up to our newsletter!

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ND Birth | Neurodivergent Birth Downloads

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Discover free toolkits to support neurodivergent individuals during maternity care. Download the Reasonable Adjustments Toolkit to communicate your needs and the Sensory Toolkit to enhance comfort during labour, birth, and postnatal care.

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If you are seeking asylum or support as a migrant, your health and wellbeing matter, — especially during pregnancy and early parenthood.
We understand that this time can bring unique challenges, including navigating unfamiliar systems, language barriers, and emotional stress. You are not alone, and support is available.

Below are some resources that may help you access care, find community, and look after your mental health during the perinatal period.

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Dr Khurram Sadiq is a Clinical Lead Acute Care in Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and a Consultant Psychiatrist in Crisis Team Basingstoke. He is a Public Speaker, Blogger, Vlogger and a Leadership coach. This is the third TEDx talk of Dr Khurram, where he tells us the stories of #diversity in people’s life and the workplace, the challenges of raising a child with ASD and why it’s not about knowing Autism, it’s about understanding Autism.

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Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

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Khurram Sadiq: The Superhumans That Exist Amongst Us

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Normal people do not like different These words given by one of Dr. Khurram Sadiq's patients sums up how people with #Autism Spectrum Disorder feel like. Today, 1 in 56 people are diagnosed with ASD and the male ratio is 4:1 to females.

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Welcome to Unspoken, a heartfelt podcast by Fertility Network UK, dedicated to sharing the real-life stories of individuals and couples navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you are facing fertility struggles yourself, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about this often overlooked aspect of reproductive health, this podcast is for you.

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Welcome to Unspoken, a heartfelt podcast by Fertility Network UK, dedicated to sharing the real-life stories of individuals and couples navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you are facing fertility struggles yourself, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about this often overlooked aspect of reproductive health, this podcast is for you. Please do not forget to like, subscribe and follow the shows on the platform of your choice.

Apple Podcasts - Unspoken: The Fertility Network Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6u2rura4bhGNQ9ziu3jgBh?si=b011f1feb8b54775

Amazon Music - Unspoken: The Fertility Network Podcast on Amazon Music

RSS Online - https://rss.com/podcasts/unspoken-the-fertility-network-podcast

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Hearing how others are dealing with fertility issues can help you to feel less isolated and can be a great source of support too.

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Welcome to Unspoken, a heartfelt podcast by Fertility Network UK, dedicated to sharing the real-life stories of individuals and couples navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you are facing fertility struggles yourself, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about this often overlooked aspect of reproductive health, this podcast is for you.

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Welcome to Unspoken, a heartfelt podcast by Fertility Network UK, dedicated to sharing the real-life stories of individuals and couples navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you are facing fertility struggles yourself, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about this often overlooked aspect of reproductive health, this podcast is for you. Please do not forget to like, subscribe and follow the shows on the platform of your choice.

Apple Podcasts - Unspoken: The Fertility Network Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6u2rura4bhGNQ9ziu3jgBh?si=b011f1feb8b54775

Amazon Music - Unspoken: The Fertility Network Podcast on Amazon Music

RSS Online - https://rss.com/podcasts/unspoken-the-fertility-network-podcast

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Hearing how others are dealing with fertility issues can help you to feel less isolated and can be a great source of support too.

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This link takes you to various trusted webpages about fertility.

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Fertility is a deeply personal and often complex journey.
For many, the path to becoming pregnant can be filled with hope, uncertainty, and heartache. If you’re navigating this experience, please know that you are not alone.

We’ve gathered some resources and links below that we hope will offer support, guidance, and a sense of connection during this time.

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Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line. For anyone, anywhere in the country, at any point in their mental health journey.

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Switchboard provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone,
by email and through Instant Messaging.
Find out more here.

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The Migrant Children's Project, run by the Coram Children's Legal Centre, provides free legal advice and support to migrant children in the UK on issues like their rights to asylum, education, and local authority support.

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The Migrant Children’s Project (MCP) has been promoting the rights of refugee and migrant children, young people and families and works for over 10 years.

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Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP)

Offers free legal advice and representation to asylum seekers appealing decisions about accommodation and financial support from the Home Office.

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© 2021 Asylum Support Appeals Project.
Company registered in England and Wales: 04763838. Registered charity number: 1105625
Registered office address: Studio 11/12, Container City Building, 48 Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, E14 OFN
This site uses cookies: see our privacy & cookies page for details.

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© 2021 Asylum Support Appeals Project. Company registered in England and Wales: 04763838. Registered charity number: 1105625 Registered office address: Studio 11/12, Container City Building, 48 Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, E14 OFN This site uses cookies: see our privacy & cookies page for details.

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Medway City of Sanctuary

A community initiative dedicated to building a culture of welcome for refugees and asylum seekers in the Medway area.

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City of Sanctuary is a movement committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. Wherever refugees go, we want them to feel safe and find people who will welcome them.

Local people across the Medway Towns a number of years ago established a Medway City of Sanctuary group joining the network of over 50 local groups in boroughs, towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, all committed to building this culture of welcome across every sphere of society. Faith communities, Schools, and local community groups have all been supportive of these endeavours despite an increasing hostile environment.

So we seek to build places and spaces of safety in our Towns which will contribute to meeting this particular need while continuing to highlight the role our local communities can play in giving welcome.
Sign up to support us

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The Refugee Council is a UK-based organisation which works with refugees and asylum seekers. The organisation provides support and advice to refugees and asylum seekers, as well as support for other refugee and asylum seeker organisations.

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Migrant Helpline provides independent advice and guidance to assist people seeking asylum in the UK. They support those most in need and least likely to find support elsewhere.

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Charity supporting asylum seekers, refugees and victims of human trafficking and modern slavery

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Kent Kindness offers support and hope to young asylum seekers and refugees who are living in Kent. Their central project is to give them classes in life skills and basic English, but they are also involved in offering them a range of other educational, sporting and social opportunities.

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KRAN works with separated young refugees and asylum seekers, also known as UASC (Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children). These are young people aged 16 to 24.

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We offer a range of activities for young people

Our aim is to support young people to look after themselves well and to work with local education providers to ensure them a place in statutory education as soon as possible. We also run a mentoring project which links young people with volunteers in the community, along with an advocacy project to help them resolve any problems they might run into.

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Our aim is to support young people to look after themselves well and to work with local education providers to ensure them a place in statutory education as soon as possible. We also run a mentoring project which links young people with volunteers in the community, along with an advocacy project to help them resolve any problems they might run into.

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Both Parents Matter aims to support children to maintain a meaningful and loving relationship with both parents and their wider families during separation.

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Both Parents Matter is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents and their wider family after separation.

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The Vishaal Foundation is a Charitable Trust that enables parents, families friends to come together and remember and honour their Little Angels through the services we hold. Our services are not just for parents, they are open to anybody who has been touched by such loss. A sibling may become an only child; a younger child may become the oldest or the only child; the middle child may no longer have that title; or the parents may never be able to, or perhaps may choose not to, have another child. Nonetheless, the birth order of the child who died is fixed permanently in the minds and hearts of the parents.

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Vishaal Foundation | In Memory of little angels

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Kent County Council understands being a parent or carer can be one of life’s greatest joys - but it can also be incredibly stressful.

To help when conflict occurs, they are offering free in-person workshops across Kent and Medway.

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With thanks to our colleagues in Cheshire and Mersey Specialist Perinatal Service, please view this resource to help you make sense of frightening thoughts during the perinatal period.

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A digital resource to help parents recognise and manage conflict within their relationships.

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Whether you want to help someone use or access the internet, donate funds or devices, or become a digital inclusion hub - there's so many ways you can help fix the digital divide.

We power free digital inclusion services

These services are delivered through the National Digital Inclusion Network, made up of thousands of organisations reaching digitally excluded people across the UK.

National Device Bank

The secure, sustainable and socially responsible solution for corporate IT asset disposal. Don't dispose, donate your company's unused tech to the National Device Bank and help digitally excluded people get online.

National Databank

Like a foodbank but for mobile data, the National Databank provides free mobile SIM cards to help digitally excluded people get connected.

Learn My Way

Digital skills support is at the heart of the National Digital Inclusion Network. Learn My Way helps people with low or no digital skills to gain confidence and learn how to use the internet and digital technologies.

Our policy asks

We're calling for the Government to act on digital inclusion with three clear policy asks: co-invest to help more digitally excluded people, scrap broadband VAT, and reuse tech for social good.

Stories from people supported to get online

"I feel that everything is falling into place, I'm more focused on my goals going forward rather than looking back at where I went wrong. My journey has made me stronger. Compared to where I was a year ago, I'm more ambitious and back to where Shahida was - I'm back to myself."

Working together to fix the digital divide

Partnership with purpose

We don't do this alone - our partnerships are the lifeblood that drive our ambition to fix the digital divide. We make a real impact by working with collaborative and innovative partners who share our passion to succeed in our mission.

If your organisation is passionate about social inclusion, digital transformation and environmental impact, then we want to explore a partnership with you.

Read more Good Things

The Minimum Digital Living Standard for Households with Children has launched

For the first time, we have a benchmark defined by the public about what families think is enough to feel included in our digital society. It tells us what families need to know, do, and be able to afford. Emma Stone explores the groundbreaking new findings.

The Minimum Digital Living Standard for Households with Children has launched

For the first time, we have a benchmark defined by the public about what families think is enough to feel included in our digital society. It tells us what families need to know, do, and be able to afford. Emma Stone explores the groundbreaking new findings.

Spring Budget overlooks the transformative potential of digital inclusion

Good Things' Group CEO, Helen Milner OBE, writes about how the Spring Budget has missed an opportunity by not investing in digital inclusion, impacting both people and the economy.

Cost of connectivity crisis: One in 10 Brits would cut back on food or heating rather than lose internet access

We're making digital for all, as new research reveals just how vital Brits consider being connected to the internet is to their everyday lives.

Fix the Digital Divide - for Good

We have developed a comprehensive service for digitally excluded people. An offer which any local organisation - anywhere in the UK - can use to Fix the Digital Divide in their communities.

Stay in touch

Keep up-to-date with the latest events and news from Good Things Foundation in our monthly newsletter.

Sign up for email updates

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We are the digital inclusion charity, helping people improve their lives with free access to data, devices and digital skills learning.

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This link takes you to a number of free videos to help you communicate better with your partner or ex-partner, and to find a way forward in difficult situations.

When we argue with our partner or ex-partner, we can get caught up in the heat of the moment. At times like these, it’s difficult to find a way forward.

We want to help you see things differently, and do things differently.

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When we argue with our partner or ex-partner, we can get caught up in the heat of the moment. At times like these, it's difficult to find a way forward.

We want to help you see things differently, and do things differently.

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When we argue with our partner or ex-partner, we can get caught up in the heat of the moment. At times like these, it’s difficult to find a way forward.

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Supporting young people to cope better with the pressures of everyday life.

Here at the Kent Resilience Hub we wanted to create a resource that helps young people, parents and carers, staff and practitioners to understand emotional wellbeing and resilience.

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Supporting 10-16 year olds to cope better with the pressures of everyday life.

Here at the Kent Resilience Hub we wanted to create a resource that helps young people, parents and carers and professionals to understand emotional growth and resilience.

Sometimes it can be hard to know how best to support a child or young person in difficult times. We have tried to help by finding the best and most reliable information, articles, tools and resources relating to resilience and emotional wellbeing. One place where you can increase your understanding and awareness, find approaches and tools or navigate your way to appropriate support and services.

Sometimes it can be hard to know how best to support a child or young person in difficult times. We have tried to help by finding the best and most reliable information, articles, tools and resources relating to resilience and emotional wellbeing. One place where you can increase your understanding and awareness, find approaches and tools or navigate your way to appropriate support and services.

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Here at the Kent Resilience Hub we wanted to create a resource that helps young people, parents and carers and professionals to understand emotional growth and resilience. Sometimes it can be hard to know how best to support a child or young person in difficult times.

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Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support no matter what you are going through.

Don’t suffer in silence: Text the word SHOUT to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160 for free confidential support at any time.

Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern, including:

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Text the word Kent to 85258 or phone 0800 107 0160 for free confidential support at any time.

Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern, including:

anxiety

depression

low self-esteem

money worries

relationship troubles

stress

suicidal thoughts.

Coronavirus has caused a lot of disruption in many people's lives, if you are struggling and need someone to talk to, call us or text the word Kent to 85258.

Our 24 hour text support service is powered by our trusted partners Shout and Crisis Text Line.

You can also webchat with Mental Health Matters, an independent charity, who are available 24/7.

You can also webchat with Mental Health Matters, an independent charity, who are available 24/7. For more information on their web chat service visit their website.

Mental health support organisations

There are many organisations who offer support with stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. We don't work with all of these organisations, but you may find them helpful.

CALM offer mental health support for UK men and boys as well as those bereaved or widowed by suicide.

Live Well Kent helps Kent residents over the age of 17 with their mental and physical health. They provide health and fitness advice, as well as support with financial pressure and relationship stress.

Mind provide specialist support for those who suffer from depression as well as all other mental health concerns. Their aim is to improve mental health services for mental health and to raise awareness of available support.

Rethink Mental Illness provide support services for legal advice, financial assistance and carer support. They also campaign in local and national government for improved mental health services.

Samaritans offer free telephone mental health support for any mental health concern including addiction, depression, work related stress, loss, bereavement and loneliness.

Young Minds offer mental health support services to children and young people in the UK. They can offer services to those suffering from exam stress, bullying, abuse, eating disorders,or body image concerns.

Hope Exhibition

The Hope Exhibition is touring Kent and Medway to raise awareness of suicide prevention this summer. You can see the art works funded by the Kent and Medway Hope Community Arts Fund for free by visiting the following locations:

Fremlin Walk, Maidstone, ME14 1QP. Available from the 24 to 28 July

Chatham Library, ME4 4TX. Available from 31 July to 4 August

Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP. Available from 7 to 11 August.

You can read more about this exhibition by visiting the KCC news and features website.

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If you're feeling under pressure call 0800 107 0160 to get free advice from expert therapists and counsellors.

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At the Princess Project we aim to give a helping hand and a listening ear to mothers who are in need of a little extra support. Although there may well be services and help available, sometimes mums feel unable to access this for all sorts of reasons. We want to be able to help them to join in with any relevant activities wherever possible, and to provide one-to-one support, mentoring and friendship.

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Welcome to Kent Child! Find ways to support your child's development, and keep them healthy and safe.

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Kent Child Welcome to Kent Child! Find ways to support your child’s development, and keep them healthy and safe. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Use the search function to find what you need for your child. Search Keeping your child healthy Supporting your child at school Keeping your child safe Your child’s development Supporting […]

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Get the local support and services you need, with Kent Family Hub.

You might be a parent, carer, child, or young person. With Kent Family Hub, you can find advice, support and services to help throughout your family journey, from newborns to 19-year-olds, or up to 25-year olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

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Get the local support and services you need, with Kent Family Hubs. You might be a parent, carer, child or young person. With Kent Family Hubs, you can find advice, support and services to help throughout your family journey, from newborns to 19-year-olds, or up to 25-year olds with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Need support breastfeeding?

Visit the Beside You website for support on breastfeeding or chestfeeding your baby. Find local drop-in sessions with trained Breastfeeding Champions or call a helpline from 8am to midnight.
Get help now

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kent family hubs; family hubs; family hub; familyhubs; hubs; familyhub; kentfamilyhub; local family hub

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Kent Family Hub has local services and advice on keeping your child safe and well.

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Our vision is a society in which children can thrive in their families, and have loving relationships to turn to throughout life.

Our mission is to ensure that the child welfare and family justice system supports children to live safely and thrive within their family, while strengthening the family and community ties of those children who cannot live at home.

We do this through advice and advocacy, pioneering family-led solutions, championing kinship care, and amplifying family voices.

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We work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system & with kinship carers who are raising children unable to remain at home.

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Our vision is a society in which children can thrive in their families, and have loving relationships to turn to throughout life.

Our mission is to ensure that the child welfare and family justice system supports children to live safely and thrive within their family, while strengthening the family and community ties of those children who cannot live at home.

We do this through advice and advocacy, pioneering family-led solutions, championing kinship care, and amplifying family voices.

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We work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system & with kinship carers who are raising children unable to remain at home.

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The Donor Conception Network – or DC Network/DCN – is the UK’s first and largest charity dedicated to supporting donor conception families and prospective families.

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Supporting donor conception families since 1993

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Sistah Space is a non-profit organisation that supports women and families affected by domestic abuse whilst also ensuring that cultural factors are not only considered but understood.

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Founded in November 2015, Sistah Space is a community-based non-profit initiative created to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services for African heritage women and girls.

Sistah Space combines the specific needs of African heritage families with expertise in domestic abuse services.

Our Services

Domestic Abuse

Our Charity Shop

Purchase Our Survivor Dolls & More ​

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Domestic Abuse Services | Sistah Space (Sanctuary) | London, England

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Founded in November 2015, Sistah Space is a community-based non-profit initiative created to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services for African heritage women and girls. Sistah Space combines the specific needs of African heritage families with expertise in domestic abuse services.

# data[].attributes.body
Sistah Space is a non-profit organisation that supports women and families affected by domestic abuse whilst also ensuring that cultural factors are not only considered but understood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Founded in November 2015, Sistah Space is a community-based non-profit initiative created to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services for African heritage women and girls.

Sistah Space combines the specific needs of African heritage families with expertise in domestic abuse services.

Our Services

Domestic Abuse

Our Charity Shop

Purchase Our Survivor Dolls & More ​

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Domestic Abuse Services | Sistah Space (Sanctuary) | London, England

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Founded in November 2015, Sistah Space is a community-based non-profit initiative created to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services for African heritage women and girls. Sistah Space combines the specific needs of African heritage families with expertise in domestic abuse services.

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Anticipatory grief is when you have feelings of grief while the person is still alive. You might worry about the future and how you will cope without them. And you may feel sad, worried or angry about their illness and its effect on your life.

This page is for family members or friends of someone who has a terminal illness. But people who have a terminal illness can also feel anticipatory grief.

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What is anticipatory grief?

Anticipatory grief is when you have feelings of grief before the person dies. It's sometimes called pre-death grief or grief before death. Many people experience anticipatory grief. This is a natural reaction when someone's illness is having an effect on your life. And when you feel worried about what will happen in the future.

When you have anticipatory grief, you may feel:

sad about the person's illness and its effect on your lives

worried about the illness getting worse

fear or low mood when thinking about the person's death

anxious about how you will cope without the person

angry about why this is happening to you both

hopeless because there is nothing you can do to change the situation

guilty or ashamed about some of your thoughts or feelings.

Some people who have grief before loss feel like they're in a constant state of sadness, fear or panic. You might find your feelings get worse when there are changes in the person's health. And you may feel better when things are more stable. At times, some people feel numb or detached from the situation or the person who is ill.

How the person's illness affects anticipatory grief

Changes in the person

Your family member or friend's illness may have an impact on:

their physical health - they may be weak, in pain or lose weight

their mental health - they may feel depressed or angry

their ability to interact - they may not be able to talk or respond

their cognitive ability - their ability to think, understand or remember things

their personality or behaviour.

You might feel as though you lose part of them every time their condition gets worse.

Your family member or friend may seem like a different person. And you may feel like the person you knew before has already gone. You may really miss the person they used to be.

These changes and losses can cause a grief reaction, even though the person is still alive. You may feel sad or angry about these changes. You might question why this has happened to your family member or friend. It can feel very unfair.

Worries about their illness getting worse

You may be thinking about the person's illness progressing and getting worse. You might worry about specific things like if they will be in pain, if they will be able to speak or if they will remember who you are. These things can be painful and upsetting to think about. It can help to find out what care and support is available for them and for you.

Your relationship with other family and friends

Different reactions from family and friends

Other family members or friends might respond differently to the situation than you. They might not accept that the person is dying (sometimes called denial). They may be experiencing difficult emotions, like anger, or feeling low. This can cause tension or upset between family members or friends. Anticipatory grief affects everyone in a different way and they may have their own way of coping.

Not wanting to upset other people

You may also want to protect other people from how you're feeling or what is happening. You may not want to upset them. And you might worry about them and how they are coping. It's important that you have someone to talk to about how you're feeling too. It may help to tell people close to you how you're feeling. Or you might find it helpful to find other people who you can talk to ( see Other people who can listen below).

Anticipatory grief thoughts and feelings

Feeling helpless

You may feel helpless about the situation. There is nothing you can do to change their illness, their symptoms or what will happen. This can make you feel upset, angry or frustrated.

Not feeling good enough

You may also feel guilty if you're not able to help them as much as you want to. People who need more care or treatment may go into a care home, hospice or hospital. This can be difficult for you if you know that's not what they would have wanted. You might feel guilty about this.

Try to be kind to yourself - this is a difficult situation. You are doing your best.

Finding it hard to accept that they might die

Finding out that someone has an illness they will die from can be a huge shock. Sometimes it's not clear whether the person will die from their illness or how long they might live for.

You may find yourself hoping for their recovery. At the same time, you may be trying to adjust to the reality that they might die. You might not want the person or other people to think you've stopped hoping for a cure or recovery.

Worrying about the person dying

You may worry about them dying and what it will be like. It can help to understand what might happen as their illness gets worse. You can ask their doctor or read our information.

Worries about a future without the person

You might feel sad or worried when you think about a future without the person who is ill. You may worry about how you will cope without them.

Even if you're trying to enjoy life and live in the present, you might feel sad. You may think that this will be the last time you do something together. For example, the last birthday, anniversary, holiday or special occasion. You might see other people enjoying life and be sad that you will not have those moments together in the future.

Many people feel sad when they think about special events in the future without the person who is going to die. And some people feel sad thinking about day-to-day life without the person - going for a walk, talking about your day or spending time together.

You may feel worried about how you will manage to get through these things without the person. You may find it too painful to imagine living without them.

Some people feel guilty about imagining a future without the person while the person is still alive. But many people do this to try to adapt to the reality of the person's death.

If you're having suicidal thoughts

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, it's important to get help. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123. You can also book an appointment with your GP or, out of hours, call 111 (or, in Northern Ireland, your out of hours GP service). If you feel like you might harm yourself, call 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Are there benefits to anticipatory grief?

When you're experiencing anticipatory grief, it can be hard to think of any benefits to the situation. You might find that it's only after the person has died that you can look back and process how you felt.

Some people feel that anticipatory grief helps them to prepare for and accept the person's death. Accepting that your family member or friend will die may help you to:

focus on spending time with the person

accept that their death is out of your control

adjust to the idea of life without them

feel less shocked when the person dies

prepare for what to expect in their last days or hours.

How you might feel after the person dies

Many people who have anticipatory grief feel that they have already accepted that the person is dying. You might feel you've worked through some of your grief already and have prepared for their death.

But some people still feel overwhelmed by their grief after the person dies. This can be a surprise if you think you've already grieved. But the change of them not being there anymore can be a different type of grief.

Many people feel relieved when the person dies. This may be because it was difficult to see them ill. Some people feel guilty about this. But it's OK to feel this way - it's understandable to want them to be free from pain or discomfort. You may also feel sad or shocked at the same time.

What can help with anticipatory grief?

It can help to know that your feelings are normal. Many people feel anticipatory grief when they know that someone they care for might die. This is one of the hardest things to experience, so you might need a lot of support.

Talking about your feelings

Talking to family or friends

It can help to talk with any family or friends you have about how you feel. This might include the person who's ill, if they are able and willing to talk about it. Sometimes it can be a relief to say how you feel out loud. You may worry about upsetting them or how they will react. But they may also be feeling the same way and find it helpful to talk to someone.

Sometimes, it can be hard to talk to family or friends. They may be coping with the situation in different ways. For example, they may find it hard to accept that the person will die. And you might find it difficult if there is already tension around caring responsibilities or other situations. Think about who may be able to listen without judgement and support you.

Support from your community

You might find it helpful to have support from your wider community. You might belong to a religious, cultural or another community group. There may be people who have had similar experiences and can understand how you might feel. Even within your community, people may have different beliefs and ways of dealing with things.

Other people who can listen

It can help to talk about your worries or feelings to someone who is not a family member or friend. You might find it helpful to talk to:

people in a local support group for family, friends and carers

a faith leader or spiritual adviser

people in an online community or forum

a support line or listening service - contact the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk.

Counselling or talking therapy

Counsellors or psychotherapists can help you to process your feelings. You do not have to wait until after the person dies to get this support. They can help you find ways of coping now and in the future.

refer yourself through NHS talking therapies

ask your GP to refer you

find a private counsellor or psychotherapist - search on the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy website

ask your local hospice if they have a counselling or listening service - this is sometimes called a bereavement service, but can support people before someone dies

see if your workplace offers free counselling.

These services are usually free, except for getting a private therapist.

Hospice services are sometimes only for people whose family member or friend has had care from the hospice.

If you're already seeing a therapist, tell them how you feel and that you might have anticipatory grief.

Expressing your feelings

You might find it easier to express your feelings in different ways. Some people have told us it helped them to:

write down feelings, thoughts or worries

listen to music that has meaning

do creative things, like drawing or writing a poem.

You might want to keep these for yourself. Or, you might share them with others to help them understand what you're going through.

Looking after yourself

You may be caring for the person as well as worrying about the future. If you're often feeling sad or worried, this can make you feel more tired than normal. Anticipatory grief can affect your sleep, work, life and relationships. It can be hard to prioritise yourself during this time.

have a daily routine

do something regularly that you enjoy and look forward to

try not to feel guilty about looking after yourself

ask others to help with some of your responsibilities

spend time with the person doing something you both enjoy

ask if your work can be flexible

get outside for a short walk, if you can

try some breathing exercises if you're feeling stressed

try to get good sleep, eat healthily and stay active.

Preparing for the future

It can help to try to prepare for the future. You might want to find out more about:

how the person's illness might get worse

what care and support is available for you both

the wishes of your family member or friend as their illness gets worse

making memories - letters, photos or videos - for after the person has died

making practical or financial decisions

making decisions about the person's future care

what support is available for you after the person dies.

Finding out more and making plans can help to make you feel more prepared. It can also help to open up conversations with other people and start to accept the reality of the situation.

©2025 Marie Curie. Registered Charity, England and Wales (207994), Scotland (SC038731). Registered company limited by guarantee, England & Wales (507597). Registered Office: One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7BW

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Anticipatory grief is when you have feelings of grief when the person is still alive. It's sometimes called pre-death grief or grief before death.

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This information resource looks at psychosis. It covers what psychosis is, why it happens, how it is treated, and how it relates to other mental and physical illnesses.

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Psychosis is a term used to describe when someone's thoughts and feelings change so dramatically that they are not able to separate their symptoms from reality. This information resource looks at psychosis. It covers what psychosis is, why it happens, how it is treated, and how it relates to other mental and physical illnesses.

About our information

We publish information to help people understand more about mental health and mental illness, and the kind of care they are entitled to.

Our information isn't a substitute for personalised medical advice from a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We encourage you to speak to a medical professional if you need more information or support. Please read our disclaimer.

Psychosis is a term used to describe a group of symptoms. When someone is experiencing psychosis, their thoughts and feelings change so dramatically that they find it difficult to recognise what is real and what is not.

Psychosis is far more common than many people think, and can be incredibly frightening for the person experiencing it and distressing for those around them. However, there is help and support available.

Delusions

Delusions are beliefs you have that are very real to you. However, they probably won't be shared by or make sense to other people, such as your friends and family. These delusions can be having a strong belief that:

You might express or talk about these beliefs with other people. Or you might do things that relate to these beliefs, like hiding from the people you feel are hurting you.

These beliefs won't be easily explained away by your religion or culture.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are when you experience things that other people cannot. This could mean hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting things that are not there.

"Another far more common experience I have is seeing and feeling ants all over my body, also swarming in the room around me." Debra

The most common type of hallucination is auditory (hearing) hallucinations. This is where you hear sounds, a voice or voices that others cannot hear. These voices usually feel like someone talking into your ear, from behind you, or in the distance, rather than inside your head. Sometimes the voices might talk directly to you, or they might talk about you amongst themselves. Or they might do both.

You might experience your thoughts being 'broadcast' out loud, and believe that others can hear them.

Sometimes delusions will work to help 'explain' your hallucinations. For example, if you can hear voices talking about you, you might develop delusions that your neighbours are plotting against you, and these are the voices you can hear.

Auditory hallucinations can sound different to different people. Some people hear voices that are scary, intimidating or disturbing. Other people hear voices that are more 'neutral', and some people even hear voices that are comforting or reassuring. Some people start off hearing more neutral or friendly voices, which become more upsetting or disturbing over time.

"The voices said I was responsible for wars, crime and diseases. However, this was what I had been having delusions about before hearing the voices. The two came to interact and reinforce each other." Mark

Disorganised thinking

If you are experiencing disorganised thinking:

Believing that you are being influenced or controlled

You might start to have very strong beliefs that:

You might become suspicious of the people around you and find it difficult to trust others, or you might believe that you are being controlled by an outside force like god, the devil, spirits or aliens.

These experiences will feel real to you, even if others around you can see that they aren't.

It is important to note that you are unlikely to experience these symptoms all of the time. Instead, you are likely to experience different symptoms at different times, and these symptoms will be more or less severe depending on a number of factors. For example, you might experience delusions, then start to experience hallucinations later. This can make it hard to realise that you are unwell.

When you are experiencing psychosis, you might also find it difficult to realise that you are experiencing the symptoms described above. This can unfortunately make it difficult to seek help.

"One morning, I seemed to find myself in a world that was strange and totally different ... every tree and lamppost contained a hidden camera or microphone to spy on me." Mark

Separating delusions from reality

It might be difficult for other people to realise that you are experiencing delusions. This is especially the case if there are things in your life that connect to your delusions, or if your delusions are based on real things. For example:

Religion - If you are religious, believing that you can speak to God through prayer might be a normal part of your belief system. However, if these beliefs start to become more intense or extreme, or start to impact on your relationships with others, this might be a sign that you are unwell.

Employment - It might be hard for others to realise you are experiencing delusions if you have a job that is linked to your delusions. For example, if you have had to work with classified information, such as in the Government or the army, and you have delusions about surveillance.

Personal life - Things might have happened to you in your personal life that led to you being controlled or surveilled. For example, being in an abusive relationship. If you develop delusions that you are being followed or controlled, it might take longer for others to realise that you are unwell.

If you are experiencing delusions, the thoughts and ideas you have will be more extreme than usual, and will probably seem strange or out of character to others.

It can be hard for people who haven't experienced psychosis to understand what it is like. People with lived experience of psychosis have kindly agreed to share their experiences here:

"I was sat in a hospital car park and I felt as if I was inside a very large and hollow globe. All I could see was dark grey and black jigsaw pieces which made up the globe. These began to fall outwards and left me in a black nothingness. I was petrified. It was as if the world had disintegrated, and it was the end of our planet." Debra

"I had a view of the docks and I could almost make out some of the names of the ships. I was in deep psychosis and I put my hand out of the window as if to touch the ships, cranes and docks." Michael

"I used to think I was in terrible pain. This was not a delusion but a sensory hallucination - I could actually feel it. The pain was even present whilst I was hearing voices - this seemed to give my symptoms an added reality. Often I would get a headache at the same time as a frightening thought." Mark

Psychosis is a term used to describe a cluster of symptoms. People with lots of different conditions can experience symptoms of psychosis, including:

Other mental health conditions like generalised anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) could also lead to someone developing psychosis. This could happen as the result of extreme stress associated with the condition.

Psychosis can also happen when someone:

has a brain injury

is withdrawing from alcohol

is sleep deprived

has taken recreational drugs, such as cannabis or cocaine

is withdrawing from recreational drugs

has an infection, such as a urine infection. Infections can sometimes cause a condition called delirium, which can cause people to become disorientated and sometimes to develop psychotic symptoms. The psychotic symptoms usually improve as the cause of the delirium is treated.

It can also happen as the side-effect of a new or recently-prescribed medication, or when withdrawing from medication.

Sometimes it isn't possible to work out why someone has developed psychosis.

Psychosis means different things for different people:

If you have experienced one or more episodes of psychosis and want to understand why you have not been diagnosed with a condition like schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, speak to your doctor. There may be reasons that your doctor does not feel that one of these diagnoses best describes your experiences.

"When I look back at my experience of when I was diagnosed, I didn't understand why it happened at that specific time. I didn't know that you had to have seen the symptoms for at least a month, and I thought I was doing well and that the diagnosis was indicating that I wasn't doing well. But now I understand that that wasn't the case. My diagnosis didn't indicate how well I was." Ashley

We don't always know what causes psychosis. Some things can make psychosis more likely to happen, including:

Significant life events - Psychosis can sometimes happen after a significant or stressful event like a close friend or relative dying. It is also more likely to develop if someone has experienced abuse or neglect as a child.

Childbirth - Psychosis can happen after someone has given birth. This is called postpartum psychosis.

Drugs - Psychosis can happen after someone uses illegal drugs, like cannabis, LSD, cocaine or 'speed.' Sometimes if someone stops using drugs or alcohol their psychosis will improve. However, sometimes the relationship between drugs and psychosis is more complex. If you are using drugs, speak to the people treating you about how you can get help to stop.

When someone has a mood disorder - Psychosis can happen when someone has a severe depressive episode or a manic episode.

Sleep deprivation - Extreme sleep deprivation can cause psychosis.

It is important to note that most people will experience stress, use drugs or give birth and never develop psychosis. Sometimes psychosis happens for no apparent reason. It is important to remember that whatever the reason, if you develop psychosis, it is not your fault.

Your doctor might want to work out what caused you to develop psychosis in case it can help with your treatment. For example, if you are taking drugs, helping you to stop taking drugs might be an important part of you getting better. However, if you are using drugs or alcohol to cope, this shouldn't stop you from receiving timely, evidence-based treatment for psychosis.

"There's a common misconception in the public that there's something that must have happened to someone, either trauma or drugs. But for some people they don't have any of those things. Sometimes it just happens and there's nothing that you could have done to prevent it - it doesn't mean that you're mentally weak. It's just one of those things." Dr John Crosby

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with psychosis, speak to your GP. They will probably refer you to a specialist mental health service or your local Early Intervention in Psychosis service.

Early Intervention in Psychosis services

Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services are a model of care that was put in place to make sure that people who are or might be experiencing psychosis get the right care quickly. There is lots of evidence to show that if people receive help for psychosis quickly, they are more likely to recover, and to recover quickly.

Assessment

If you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, a professional with expertise in psychosis should assess you to find out more about:

your mental health

whether you are using drugs or alcohol

any medications you are taking

any physical health conditions you might have and your general physical wellbeing

your relationships and support networks - for example, if you are supported by a carer

any traumatic or difficult experiences you might have had in the past

your education and employment history

your general quality of life.

This might seem like a lot of information. However, it can help the people treating you to understand how you live, things you might be finding difficult, and all the different ways they can help you.

Unfortunately, if you are experiencing an episode of psychosis, you might be unable to tell that you are unwell. This can make it harder to seek help.

There is no physical test for psychosis. Instead, the person assessing you will try to find out about any symptoms you might be experiencing. This will help them to make an accurate diagnosis.

There are lots of different things that can help someone who has psychosis. These things might be helpful at different times and in different ways.

Unfortunately, some of the services we mention in this section are not always available across the whole of the UK. Some services are available, but you might not be able to access them straight away.

If you are experiencing psychosis for the first time, you are likely to be offered a medication called an antipsychotic.

How do antipsychotics work?

Antipsychotics affect different chemicals in your brain, particularly a chemical called 'dopamine'. It is thought that psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations are caused by the brain producing too much dopamine. Antipsychotics work by reducing the levels of dopamine in the brain, which can improve or reduce psychotic symptoms.

Other brain chemicals such as serotonin, noradrenaline, histamine and glutamate are also thought to be affected in psychosis. Many antipsychotics also affect the levels of these chemicals.

Do antipsychotics have side-effects?

All medications have side-effects, and these can vary depending on the person and the type of medication. Your doctor should explain the side-effects that you might have if you start taking an antipsychotic, and give you the opportunity to discuss your medication and any concerns you might have.

You should also be offered a leaflet that explains the common side-effects associated with the medication that has been recommended for you. Take time to read this leaflet, and if you have any questions ask the person who is prescribing your medication.

If you feel like the medication you are taking is giving you unpleasant side-effects, speak to your doctor. They should support you to find a medication that treats your symptoms but doesn't cause you intolerable or unpleasant side-effects. Your doctor should also consider any other medication you are taking when prescribing you antipsychotics and the potential interaction between these. You can read more about interactions between medications on the BNF website.

Health monitoring

You should be offered a full physical health screening before starting any antipsychotic. This will include:

blood tests, to screen for conditions like diabetes mellitus and high cholesterol

physical observations (such as blood pressure, heart rate and temperature)

height and body weight checks, and possibly checks of your body mass index (BMI)

an ECG, which measures the electrical activity of the heart

a discussion around smoking, alcohol intake and drug use, if these are relevant to you.

It is important that you have physical health monitoring tests at least once a year while you are taking the medications you are prescribed to treat your psychosis. These health checks can be performed by your GP or your mental health team. Speak to your mental health team to find out who will do your physical health checks, and what will happen if any health problems are identified.

Some things can interact dangerously with antipsychotics, including certain other medications, alcohol, illegal drugs and cigarettes. It is important that you speak to your doctor:

before you start taking any other medications

if you are drinking alcohol

if you are using illegal drugs

if you consume a lot of caffeine (especially if you do this sometimes but not all the time)

if you decide to start, stop or cut down on smoking cigarettes. If you stop smoking this can increase the amount of antipsychotic in your blood so you might need a lower dose of medication. This is especially important if you are taking clozapine (you can read more about clozapine in the next section).

if you have an infection, as these can alter the levels of medication in your body.

Why is health monitoring necessary?
People with psychosis can experience worse physical health, particularly cardiovascular health, which is why it needs to be carefully monitored. Your doctor might recommend that you make lifestyle changes, manage your medication differently or take additional medicines to prevent certain side-effects (such as weigh gain), if it will help to improve your physical health.

Which antipsychotic will I be given?

There are lots of different antipsychotic medications. All antipsychotic medications have been consistently shown to be similarly effective, apart from clozapine which has been shown to be more effective. What does vary from one antipsychotic to another are the kinds of side-effect that people get when taking them, and how severe these are.

You might be advised not to take certain antipsychotics if you:

Your doctor should consider all of these things, and work in partnership with you to choose an antipsychotic that works best for you.

"I had an experience where the person treating me asked if I could change medication. I thought deep down that it wasn't the right decision, but I went ahead with it and then I regretted it afterwards and had a bit of a relapse. I realised if I trusted that I knew that medication was helpful, that would have helped. Know you have a voice and you can share your opinion." Ashley
Clozapine
Clozapine is the only antipsychotic that has consistently been shown in research studies to work in people where other antipsychotics have not worked well. Your doctor might suggest you are started on clozapine if:

you have tried at least two different antipsychotic medications for at least several weeks and

you continue to be troubled by psychotic symptoms.

If you start taking clozapine, you will receive the usual physical health checks, as described in the previous section. You will also receive closer monitoring:

For the first 18 weeks that you are taking clozapine, you will need to have a blood test once a week.

After this, for up to a year after starting clozapine you will need to have a blood test every two weeks.

After one year, you will need to have a blood test every four weeks for as long as you are using clozapine.

Blood tests
If you are taking clozapine, you must have regular blood tests called a full blood count. This is to check for a very rare potential side-effect of clozapine where the number of white blood cells in your body is reduced. White blood cells fight infection and if you don't have enough of them, you can become very unwell. Regular blood tests can help doctors ensure there is no sign of this happening.

You might also need a different blood test, called plasma level monitoring. This test monitors how much clozapine is in your blood. It might be used to make sure you are taking the correct dose of clozapine and to rule out or diagnose any health issues associated with clozapine use.

Evidence is beginning to emerge which suggests that in the future, some people may not need blood tests as often as they do currently. If guidance around this changes, your mental health team will discuss this with you.

It is very important, if you are taking clozapine, that you take it as prescribed. If you miss your clozapine dose for more than 48 hours, you should contact your doctor urgently for advice before taking your next dose of clozapine. This is because it can be unsafe to take a full dose after a break.
Side-effects
People taking clozapine can also experience some other side-effects. Some of these are similar to those listed in the previous section about all antipsychotics, but some are particularly common with clozapine, including:

Clozapine can also cause some people's hearts to beat faster than usual (known as sinus tachycardia). This can be the body's normal response to starting clozapine. However, it is also a symptom of heart damage. Because of this, if someone continues to have sinus tachycardia they should be checked for other signs and symptoms of heart damage.

These side-effects can sound worrying, but most are easily managed.

How long will I have to take medication?

Many people want to know how long they will have to take medication, and if they will be able to stop taking it in the future. It can be really difficult to predict how long someone might need to take medication for, and it can depend on a lot of different things.

There is a high risk of relapse if you stop taking your medication within 1 to 2 years of starting it. Relapse means experiencing further episodes of psychosis. Staying on medication can significantly reduce the risk that you will experience any further relapses.

If you stop taking your medication and have another psychotic episode you might need to start taking your medication again, and continue taking it to stay well. How long you will need to take medication depends on you and your unique situation.

What will happen if I stop taking my medication?

If you stop taking your medication, you might become unwell again. The more times you have a relapse, the more difficult it can be for you to become well again. You also might not have the same level of recovery each time. This is one of the reasons that your doctors will encourage you to keep taking your medication.

If you want to stop taking your medication or are thinking about doing so, we strongly advise speaking to your mental health professional or GP first. They should discuss the pros and cons of stopping your medication, any risks that might be involved, and the best way to do it.

"In my experience, people that are compliant with medication are the ones that have stayed well. That's my lived experience. I came off medication so many times to go back in the military, which led to a sort of revolving door syndrome." Michael

Long-acting injectables

Long-acting injectables, also known as depot medication, are medications that are given as an injection into a muscle (intramuscular injection), rather than taken as a tablet. The medication is then slowly released into the body over a number of weeks.

The medication in a long-acting injectable is the same as in a tablet.

Some people prefer a long-acting injectable to a tablet, because they don't have to remember to take their medication every day. On the other hand, some people don't like injections, or prefer the idea of choosing to take a tablet each day.

Research shows that people who use long-acting injectables have better outcomes than people who take antipsychotic medications in tablet form. You can find out more about long-acting injectable antipsychotics in our information resource.

"It's easier for me to have an injection once a month, especially with the sleep pattern that I've got. If I go on a night out and then I end up staying over at someone's house, I don't have to be worrying about whether I've got my tablets. From a convenience point of view an injection at the GPs once a month is a lot easier to manage." Michael

Psychological therapies or talking therapies are where you talk to a therapist on your own or in a group about the problems you are having.

Psychological therapies are recommended as a treatment for psychosis, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and there is a lot of evidence that they are effective. You should be offered a psychological therapy at the same time as medication, as this can make both things more effective.

How helpful you find different psychological therapies will depend on you and your unique situation.

Unfortunately, it can take some time to access psychological therapies depending on where you live.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you to learn more helpful ways of thinking and reacting in everyday situations. Unlike some other talking therapies, CBT focuses on your current challenges rather than on your past experiences.

You should be offered individual CBT, which is where you meet with a therapist on your own, for at least 16 weekly sessions.
How can CBT help me?
CBT can help you to:

understand links between your thoughts, emotions and behaviours in relation to your symptoms

understand how your beliefs relate to the symptoms you have

develop alternative ways of coping with your symptoms

feel less distressed by your symptoms.

When will I start CBT?
Psychological therapies are usually more helpful if you are able to engage in them and complete work outside of your scheduled sessions. If you are mentally unwell, it might be better for you to start CBT when you are more stable. This is because in CBT you might need to challenge some of the delusions or beliefs you have. If you are not ready to do this, it could damage the relationship between you and your therapist, and cause your mental health to get worse.

Art therapies

Art therapies use different forms of creative expression to help people explore their thoughts and feelings. Art therapies can involve things like painting, photography, sculpture, music and writing.

Art therapies can help you to:

Family interventions

Family interventions are different kinds of support that you and your family can be given to help improve your recovery.

There are lots of different ways of working with families. However, family interventions should be performed by mental health professionals and cover the following things:

psychoeducation - helping you and your family to understand your diagnosis better

managing and reducing stress

helping you and your family to process your emotions effectively

learning to think about thoughts and beliefs in a different way

problem solving.

Family interventions might include you or they might be offered to just your family to start with. Family interventions should be offered for at least three months, for at least 10 sessions.

Other therapies

There are other therapies that are not covered in detail here, such as voice dialogue (or avatar) therapy, as these are not necessarily widely available across the UK.

If you are very unwell, you may need to spend some time in a psychiatric hospital to help you recover. This can be helpful if you:

Being sectioned

In some cases, you may need to be assessed under the Mental Health Act, and detained in a hospital setting. This might happen if it isn't safe for you not to be in hospital or to make decisions about your care on your own. This is also known as 'being sectioned', and means that you will be kept in hospital by law.

There are many different kinds of section, and you can find out more about them in our being sectioned resource. This resource only applies to England and Wales, and there are other laws and regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If you have been detained under the Mental Health Act, your doctors should still ask your opinion about your treatment and help you to be part of the decision-making process as much as possible. In some situations, your doctors might need to speak to a close friend, family member or carer about your treatment. There are rules around information sharing, which you can find out more about in our information resource on caring for someone with a mental illness.

Independent mental health advocates

If you are detained under the Mental Health Act, you are automatically entitled to access an independent mental health advocate (IMHA).

IMHAs are individuals who have good knowledge of:

the Mental Health Act

the rights of individuals who are detained under the Mental Health Act.

IMHAs are fully independent of the mental health trust whose care you are admitted to hospital under. They can support you with appealing your detention and attend your ward reviews. They can help to ensure your views and opinions are heard and considered by the people treating you.

You can find out more about IMHAs on the Mind website.

You might be able to receive your care and treatment in the community. This means that you can stay living at home, or in supported accommodation, and be treated by a community mental health team.

Community mental health teams are made up of lots of different roles, including psychiatrists, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, support workers and more.

As well as providing you with mental health support by reviewing your medication or providing you with psychological therapies, they can also help you with other things like employment, housing or applying for benefits.

Supported accommodation

It can be a complex process to get supported accommodation, if this is something you need. Getting it depends on collaboration between all of the people involved in your care. The focus of you getting care in the community should be on promoting your independence while ensuring you have the right support.

Teams in the community

There are different teams that can support you in the community:

Early Intervention in Psychosis team - This team provides intensive support to people with a first episode of psychosis, some of whom might have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Assertive outreach team - This team provides extensive help and support for people who have had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder for a long time. This can be especially helpful for people who find it difficult to work with other services, or who have not been able to take their medications regularly for various reasons.

Crisis resolution and home treatment team - This team can help you if you are becoming mentally unwell as an alternative to you being admitted to hospital.

Vocational rehabilitation - This includes day centres, day hospitals and community health centres. These facilities offer different activities such as back-to-work courses, education, art and cooking. You might also be able to make connections with other people who are experiencing similar things to you.

The availability of these services can vary widely depending on where you live.

Social support

If you are struggling to look after yourself in the community, it might be helpful for you to be allocated a social worker, who will undertake a Care Act assessment to understand whether you have any unmet social care needs.

The Care Act assessment might recommend that you are offered:

a package of care in the community in your own accommodation

a supported living placement

an assessment from an occupational therapist

A Care Act assessment might take place when you are admitted into a psychiatric hospital, or when you are in the community.

Recovery looks very different for different people. It depends on lots of different things, including how consistently you take your prescribed medication, your level of engagement with mental health services, and the support you receive from friends and family. You can do all of the 'right' things to get well and stay well, and still experience ups and downs in your symptoms.

It can be helpful to try not to think of recovery as 'having no more symptoms', as this might not be possible. Instead, you could think of recovery as:

being able to do the things you used to do

understanding your condition

learning what helps you to stay as well as possible

knowing the signs of when you are becoming unwell, and what help you need when you are.

There are lots of things you can do to support yourself to stay as well as possible. Your mental health team should provide you with a staying well plan and work with you to complete it. Your staying well plan should be reviewed on a regular basis and modified if necessary. It is important that this plan is produced in collaboration with you and the people involved in your care, and that the things it covers are relevant to you.

Other important things you can do to support yourself include:

Avoiding things that cause you stress

These things will be different from person to person, but might include:

Triggering environments - This could be certain places or people that cause you to feel particularly stressed.

Drugs and alcohol - While drinking or taking drugs might be enjoyable at the time, in the long-term it can have a negative effect on your mental health. Drugs and alcohol can cause your mood to deteriorate, making you feel paranoid or causing you to start hallucinating. Drugs and alcohol can also interact with your medication and potentially be very dangerous.

"Good stress can cause relapse as much as bad stresses do." Debra

Doing things that support your wellbeing

Many of these are things that everyone can do to help them stay mentally and physically well. They can be particularly helpful if you have a mental illness:

Eating well - Try to eat regularly, avoid skipping mealtimes, and eat foods from the key food groups. You can find out more about eating well on the NHS website.

Exercising - Staying active has been shown to support good mental health. Try to find an exercise that you enjoy that you can do regularly. This could mean going for a brisk walk, going swimming, or trying out a local exercise class.

Staying in touch with your mental health team - Reach out to your mental health team if you are struggling, and find out what kinds of support they can offer you in the areas you need help with.

Financial and housing stability - Difficulties with money or housing can be some of the most stressful things we experience. If you are struggling with your housing or finances, take a look at our resource on benefits, financial support and debt advice, which explains what kinds of benefits you might be entitled to and how to get them. If you have an occupational therapist in your mental health team, they might be able to help you with this.

"I cannot stress how much I have found that eating well, exercise, sleep and managing stress are on a par with taking meds to ensure a reasonable quality of life. I also avoid all other drugs, alcohol and nicotine. I appreciate this might be hard for a lot of people, but the benefits are very worthwhile." Debra

"Your diagnosis is helpful, but it doesn't define you. Something that's helped me is having hobbies, because sometimes you may feel isolated. But if you realise there's support systems around you, like loved ones and health professionals, it helps make the journey of recovery easier." Ashley

Understanding your relapse signature

Your relapse signature is a way of describing the things that you typically start to do or behaviours you start to show when you are becoming mentally unwell. It is called a 'signature' because it is unique to you.

You and the people close to you can look out for these things and have an agreed plan for what to do if you start to do these things. Signs you are becoming unwell might include:

not sleeping

isolating yourself or going out more than usual

speaking or acting differently than you usually do

a decline in your work or school performance

being more irritable or aggressive, including towards family and friends

An important thing to consider with relapse is 'loss of insight'. This is when you stop being able to tell that you are unwell, and that your symptoms are not real.

Recovery Colleges

Recovery Colleges provide online and in-person courses on mental illness, mental health and wellbeing. They are aimed at people who have been mentally unwell and who are looking to learn more about their condition and how they can support their recovery. Recovery Colleges also have courses aimed at family, friends and carers.

Recovery Colleges are available at many NHS mental health trusts, and also online through Recovery College Online.

"I started going along to a couple of courses two or three years ago and learnt more than I'd learned in the previous 35 years." Debra

Social prescribing

An important part of your recovery can be spending time with others doing things that you find enjoyable. Social prescribing helps to connect people to community services and groups local to them that can help to support their mental and physical health.

For example, if you enjoy gardening, social prescribing might involve putting you in touch with a weekly gardening group near you where you will be able to meet with others and spend time together doing what you enjoy.

You can find out more about this in our social prescribing resource.

If you have been very unwell, your work life will probably need to change. This might mean getting more support from your employer, taking a break from your job, or finding a different job if your current job causes you stress. These changes might not need to be permanent, but it is important to think whether there are any changes you can make to help you stay as well as possible.

Informing your employer

If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, you might be wondering whether to tell your employer. Some people are worried about speaking to their employers about their diagnosis in case they lose their job, are mistreated, or are treated differently to their colleagues.

Mental illnesses are considered a disability by the Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland. This means that it is against the law to discriminate against someone because they have a mental illness.

If you do tell your employer about your diagnosis, they have a legal responsibility to support you.

Reasonable adjustments

Your employer might need to help you make reasonable adjustments to your job. For example, if you have been unwell but are ready to return to work, they could offer you a phased return. This might mean working half days instead of full days or working part-time and then slowly increasing your hours to full-time again.

Think about what kinds of adjustments might be helpful for you and speak to your employer. You can find out more about reasonable adjustments on the Acas website.

Access to Work

Access to Work is a service provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that can offer practical and financial support to people with disabilities. It is available to people who are employed, self-employed, or looking for employment.

Access to Work can provide support or adaptations beyond the 'reasonable adjustments' described above. For example, Access to Work might help your employer to pay for a job coach or additional training for you.

"I'm only working part time, but Access to Work has been hugely helpful to me managing my experiences in work and a lot of people don't know about it. If you can get the support of your community mental health team to apply, it can make such a difference." Alice

If you experience psychosis and you drive, you are legally required to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

While you are unwell you will need to stop driving as it would not be safe for you to drive. However, you may be able to start driving again if you have been well for at least 3 months. Your doctor should be able to help you to understand whether or not it is safe for you to drive.

Following your recovery, the DVLA will write to your GP or psychiatrist to request that they assess whether it is safe for you to drive again.

You can find out more about mental illnesses and driving on the DVLA website in the section on psychiatric disorders.

If you know someone who has experienced psychosis, you might be wondering how to support them. Here, we've suggested some things that you can do.

"If it hadn't been for those people in my life who stayed in my life all the time I was under care, I don't think I'd be where I am now, where I've really got a quality of life." Michael

Supporting yourself

Psychosis can also affect the people who know the person who has received the diagnosis. If someone you know or care for is experiencing psychosis, you might find it helpful to get information and support as well. This can be helpful for both of you, because the more informed and supported you are, the more you will be able to help the person you know.

Learning about psychosis

Psychosis is a frequently misunderstood condition. You can help the person you know by finding out more about psychosis in your own time, using reliable information from healthcare organisations or charities, some of which we've listed below. You could also look for stories from people who have experienced psychosis to understand what you and your loved one can expect now and in the future.

Finding out how you can help

Ask the person you know if there are any particular things that you might be able to support them with. They might ask you for practical help, like helping them to organise their finances. Or they might ask you for emotional support, like attending an appointment with them.

If you are closely involved in someone's care, there might also be times when you have to speak to doctors about their treatment, help make decisions or advocate for them. You can find out more about this in our resource on caring for someone with a mental illness.

Financial support

The person you know might be at risk of spending a lot of money when they are unwell, or of being financially exploited by others. If this is the case, you might be able to help them to put some steps in place to protect their money. This must be a decision that you make together.

You can find out more about benefits, financial advice and debt in our information resource. You can also visit the National Debtline website to read more about money, debt and financial support for people who have a mental illness.

You can also visit the Citizen's Advice website, or find your local Citizen's Advice. You should be able to speak to an advisor about the benefits you are entitled to, and they may be able to support you in filling out forms and getting supporting evidence.

Understanding delusions

It can be hard for family and friends to know how to respond when someone they know has thoughts or ideas that are obviously untrue. Family and friends often wonder whether to challenge these thoughts, agree with them, or just ignore them. It is important to remember that for the person experiencing the symptoms of psychosis it can be impossible to tell these symptoms from reality.

You might find it more helpful to validate their feelings, rather than the beliefs that are causing their feelings. For example, if the person you know is scared that they are under surveillance by the government, rather than trying to convince them that this isn't happening, you could instead respond to the feelings they are having by saying:

"That sounds really scary, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you feel safer?"

Unfortunately, you won't always be able to help someone feel better when they are in a crisis.

"My husband says you're stealing all my money, I'll say I'm very sorry you're upset about that, let's see what we can do about it". Janet

If you are a carer

If you spend time looking after someone who has a mental illness, you might be considered a 'carer'. Caring for someone with a severe mental illness like psychosis can be very difficult at times, and it is important that you are able to support your own physical and mental health as well. Even if you don't see yourself as a carer, you could still be entitled to certain benefits and support.

If you are a carer, you are entitled to a free carer's assessment. This will help to work out what might make your life easier. You can find out more about how to get one on the NHS website.

You might also be able to find local support groups specifically for carers and other friends and family of people who experience psychosis.

Find out more about this in our resource on caring for someone with a mental illness.

Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management, information for the public, NICE - The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance on the standards of care and treatment that people with different health conditions should receive. This information is for members of the public and looks at the guidance for adults with psychosis and schizophrenia.

Charities

You can find other reliable information about psychosis and other mental health problems through the following charities:

Related resources

Below are some of our resources that are related to psychosis and its support and treatment, which you might find helpful:
Other conditions Treatments Support and care

This information was produced by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Public Engagement Editorial Board (PEEB). It reflects the best available evidence at the time of writing.

Expert authors: Dr Declan Hyland, Dr Angeliki Tziaka, Dr John Crosby and Dr Louay ElTagy

Experts by experience: Alice Evans, Ashley Nsimbi, Debra Knychala, Janet Seale, Mark Ellerby and Michael Robinson and Dr Sofija Opacic.

References available on request.

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This information resource looks at psychosis, why it happens, how it is treated, and how it relates to other mental and physical illnesses.

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This information looks at what schizophrenia is, why it happens, how it is treated, and how people with schizophrenia can support themselves. It also includes helpful information for family and friends.

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This information is for anyone who thinks they may have schizophrenia, or has a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

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MASIC  Maternal Injury Support & Information Charity

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MASIC  Maternal Injury Support & Information Charity

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MASIC - Supporting women with injuries from birth - is a UK-based charity that provides support and information to women who have experienced injuries during childbirth. They focus on raising awareness of maternal birth injuries, particularly Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASI), and offer support for the physical and emotional trauma these injuries can cause. MASIC provides a helpline, support groups, and resources to help women navigate their recovery and access necessary support.

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It's easy to get caught up in work, school, and other commitments and find that your family's health and emotional well-being can take a backseat. Here are some simple ways to support your family's health and wellbeing.

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It’s easy to get caught up in work, school, and other commitments and find that your family’s health and emotional well-being can take a backseat. Here are some simple ways to support your family’s health and wellbeing. Communicate openly and honestly. Encourage open and honest communication by making sure everyone feels heard and understood. Create […]

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List of Kent Services for Children & Young People

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List of Kent Services for Children & Young People

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This document lists the support available to support children and young people with mild-to-moderate wellbeing needs. The services listed are not able to help in an immediate mental health crisis. If someone needs urgent help call 111 option 2 for mental health (when prompted) to speak to a specially-trained mental health practitioner. If you think there is an immediate risk to your life, or the life of someone else, please contact 999. You can contact the NELFT Single Point of Access (SPA) Consultation and Advice Line 0300 300 1585 (available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12noon) if you are a professional requiring advice and/or recommendations to help you meet the needs of a specific individual child or young person you are working with. Some services only deliver in specific districts and they are listed in the relevant tabs. Note - this list is correct at time of publication - 20 May 2025. Document review date - 30 July 2025.

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Willow's Rainbow Box is a charity which can provide free comfort boxes to help reduce anxiety and to promote positive mental health and well-being. Willow's Rainbow Box supports women and families experiencing pregnancy following a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

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Barnardo's in Kent offer supportive advice and services for parents, children and families who may be experiencing or have experienced adoption. This includes:

6 1:1 sessions, which the birth parent can take up anytime up until the child is 18, and part of this is to discuss grief and loss, and offer support (they will offer signposting too).

Support with writing letters and staying in contact, and creating a later in life letter for the child.

Monthly groups, led by a professional, but focused on the parents and allowing them to tell their stories, and meet with other parents whose children have been adopted (currently online).

Both a mum and dad peer supporter available.

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Connecting Adoptive Families Independent Service (CAFIS) is a unique service for those who live in the area supported through the Adoption Partnership South East.

Our services are for people who live in Kent Medway and Bexley who have been affected by adoption.

Y​ou may be:

a birth relative or adopted person wishing to access information or make contact

an adoptive parent

a birth relative or adopted person wishing to review current staying in touch arrangements

Upcoming events
CAFIS is committed to supporting all those affected by adoption, whether personally or professionally, and will be offering a number of events throughout the year to share up-to-date information, discuss current research and changes, and offer support. These will include support groups for adoptive and birth families, seminars for birth and adoptive families, and networking events for professionals.

On 25 May 2023, we will be hosting an online event to discuss our support for birth families who have lost a child to adoption.

Please do call if we have not contacted you - there are many reviews taking place so it may take a little while to get back to you.

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Connecting Adoptive Families Independent Service (CAFIS) is a unique service for people living in Kent who are affected by adoption

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Miscarriage can be a very distressing experience for a couple. Your partner has the physical trauma to deal with, but you have also suffered a loss that you may find painful. We hope that this leaflet will help you to understand and cope with your own feelings about your miscarriage as well as your partner’s.

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Miscarriage can be a very distressing experience for a couple. Your partner has the physical trauma to deal with, but you have also suffered a loss that you may find painful. We hope that this leaflet will help you to understand and cope with your own feelings about your miscarriage as well as your partner’s.

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This information from Mind, aims to help you understand what a panic attack is and offers ways of coping.

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Learn all about panic attacks (anxiety attacks). Includes tips on how to recognise signs of a panic attack, and what you can do to cope with them.

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The Survivors Trust which comprises member organisations who provide specialist support to all survivors of rape, sexual violence and sexual abuse, have collaborated with lived experience experts to launched a website with resources.

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These sections introduce the subjects they cover, share experiences and advice from survivors with lived experience, outline some common challenges and concerns that survivors may have in these areas, and provide tips, exercises, and links to external resources which survivors may find useful to explore further.

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This booklet aims to validate and normalise the many different feelings you may have about becoming a mum and how to be with your baby during this transformative time.

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We hope this infographic helps you to understand why you may be experiencing distress around some of your (intrusive) thoughts.

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Pregnancy After Loss: A day-by-day plan to reassure and comfort

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Pregnancy After Loss: A day-by-day plan to reassure and comfort

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Pregnancy should be a time of joyous anticipation, but those forty weeks can feel very different if you are one of the many women who has previously lost a baby. In Pregnancy After Loss, Zoe Clark-Coates has created a compassionate and essential guide to lead you, day by day, through your pregnancy.

Addressing such issues as facing fear, coping with scans and pregnancy milestones, building relationships with your medical team and processing your ongoing grief whilst pregnant, this is the comforting companion every pregnant woman needs by her side.

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Loved Baby: Helping you Grieve and Cherish your Child After Pregnancy Loss by Sarah Philpott 

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Loved Baby: Helping you Grieve and Cherish your Child After Pregnancy Loss by Sarah Philpott 

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Loved Baby offers much-needed support to women in the middle of psychological and physiological grief as a result of losing an unborn child.

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There are a number of misconceptions around miscarriage which may add stress, guilt and isolation to how someone is feeling. This webpage highlights some common misconceptions and seeks to provide accurate information instead.

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Dr Wuroud: Misconceptions around miscarriage - The Miscarriage Association

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In this blog, Dr Wuroud addresses some common misconceptions around miscarriage, and offers advice and guidance.

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This picture depicts the different root causes of birth trauma and the impact it may have.

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The Birth Trauma Tree – UNFOLD YOUR WINGS

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I wanted to try to capture the root causes and effects of Birth Trauma in a way that was visual to help others understand and also raise awareness.

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Pregnancy isn’t always predictable. Every year over 20,000 expectant parents will get the news that their baby may not be developing as expected.

Antenatal Results and Choices can give you impartial information and support to help you decide on your next steps.

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Reading Well for families recommends reading to support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years (from conception to aged two). The scheme is aimed at adults and includes a range of recommended books and supporting digital resources. Some of the recommended books provide information and advice; there are also personal stories, illustrated books and poetry.  Books are free to access via local libraries with many audio books available.

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Reading Well for families recommends reading to support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years (from conception to aged two). The scheme is aimed at adults and includes a range of recommended books and supporting digital resources. Some of the recommended books provide information and advice; there are also personal stories, illustrated books and poetry.

The booklist is targeted at parents, carers and anyone supporting people from pregnancy onwards.

Look for the Reading Well for families books in your local library - they're free to borrow.

Many titles are also available to borrow as eBooks and audiobooks. Find out how to join the library and access books, eBooks and audiobooks via your local library website.

England

Our overview of titles and digital leaflet are available to download for free.

Wales

Our bilingual overview of titles and bilingual digital leaflet are available to download for free.

In Wales, the Reading Well for families collection includes an extra title that is only available in Welsh language (Darn Bach o'r Haul, ed. Rhiannon Williams).

For more information on Reading Well for families please see ourFrequently Asked Questions

Booklist categories

Becoming a family - Your wellbeing

Digital Resources

All you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth.

NHS Wales guide on all you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth, your newborn, babies and toddlers.

The 'Fatherhood Factsheets' provide information for UK dads on topics including looking after your health and men and baby loss.

The Baby Buddy app includes self-care tools to support and empower mums, dads, and caregivers, build their knowledge and confidence, and help them take care of their physical and mental health during pregnancy, birth and the first year of their baby's life.

Available to download for free from Google Play (Android) and App Store (iOS).

Free practical tips and expert advice for all your parenting challenges.

Mental Health

Digital Resources

Information on a range of topics related to mental health and wellbeing before, during and after pregnancy.

Information and support for women and families impacted by perinatal mental health problems.

Information and support for families and their networks who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression.

Free bookable call service available via the PANDAS website.
WhatsApp Messaging Support Service: 07903 508334 (Mon - Sun: 8am - 10pm)

Information and support for mums and families affected by postpartum psychosis.

Information and support for mums and their families affected by perinatal OCD.

Information and support for women and families who have experienced traumatic birth.
Phone: 0203 621 6338

An online programme promoted by NHS Wales to help you learn techniques to manage symptoms of low mood and worry during the perinatal period.

Coping with loss

Digital Resources

Information and support for parents on pregnancy and baby loss including miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.
Phone: 0800 0147 800 (Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm)

Information and support for anyone who has been affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth.
Phone: 0808 164 3332

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Reading Well for families - The Reading Agency

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Reading Well for families recommends reading to support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the...

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My Mum's Poorly Brain is an e-book written by one of our very own Peer Support Practitioners! It is an illustrated ebook that supports families to help their children to understand about perinatal mental health, with an emphasis on how no matter how poorly mum’s brain might be, she still loves her children.

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The MASIC Foundation is the only multi-disciplinary UK charity to support women who have suffered severe injuries during childbirth known as OASI (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries)

The charity is run by injured women and healthcare professionals who are committed to better detection and prevention of injury during childbirth

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Need advice? Please email Birth Injury Support at info@masic.org.uk or call 0808 1640 8333

We are advocates for women and aim to change the lives of those injured during childbirth.

Find out more

Who are MASIC?

MASIC exists to support women, challenge stigma and drive change.

The MASIC Foundation is the only multi-disciplinary UK charity to support women who have suffered severe injuries during childbirth known as OASI (Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries).

The charity is run by injured women and healthcare professionals who are committed to better detection and prevention of injury during childbirth.

Find out more

Women's stories

Breaking the silence. Read stories from MASIC advocates who have suffered injuries during childbirth.

Telling women's stories is the most important thing we can do as a charity. When women are brave enough to speak out, change happens. This page is dedicated to telling those stories, and to the women who have been honest and incredibly brave in sharing their experience.

If you have a story to tell we are dedicated to supporting you and making your voice heard.

Please email socialmedia@masic.org.uk and we will help you to tell your story.

Read more stories

Looking for support?

There is support available if you need it, don't suffer in silence and don't be afraid to ask for help and advice.

MASIC can help you over come the physical and emotional trauma you may have experienced during and after child birth. We can support you and guide you to helpful resources, all you need to do is get in touch.

Get Support

Not sure where to start?

Please call the MASIC 24h freephone Birth Injury Support Helpline 0808 1640 8333

My name is Luce. I'm a writer. A partner. A mum. And I had a difficult birth which left me thunderstruck, confused, sad, broken, and well, pretty angry. My reaction to birth trauma was unconventional. I wrote a book - a gory, funny, moving book - about the truth of it for me, what I saw and heard and felt as I gave birth and then coped with injuries, continence issues, depression, and trauma. I needed to speak out because traumatic births are often undiscussed. Recognition is important - we don't talk enough about births that aren't picture-perfect, as if they should be hidden in shame. Like MASIC, I'm here to say it isn't shameful. And don't worry - you have found your people. Like my book this website is a place for all of you - the entertainers, the shell-shocked, new mums and old hands - to share, process, or even just start to think about what is happening, and why googling 'birth trauma' or 'MASIC' late at night is a good thing. You are not alone.

85%

of women with severe birth injury said it impacted on their relationship with their child

78%

were affected by traumatic memories of the birth

52%

stated they were embarrassed by the symptoms of their injury

49%

of women affected said they doubted their ability to mother

45%

suffered postnatal depression as a result of their injury

24%

of women affected regretted having a child because of the injuries sustained

Meet the MASIC team

We are a collection of healthcare professionals & MASIC advocates, existing to give a voice to women's childbirth stories.

The Executive Board

We are led by a small and very experienced Executive team who are dedicated to improving outcomes for women with birth injuries.

Products that will help improve your life

Products that can help make everyday life a bit easier.

After sustaining a birth injury it is so important to know that there are products and services out there that can help make everyday life a little bit easier, and help you to feel a little bit more like YOU again.

We recommend the products here that have been tried and tested by our MASIC advocates - women who understand what it's like to cope with symptoms on a daily basis, and who know what has helped them.

Discover More

MASIC News

Keep up to date with all our latest news and stories

If you would like to be kept informed of MASIC's work and our most recent projects please click on our news items in this section and sign up to our MASIC mailing list.

We would love to hear from you if you are an injured woman or a health professional interested in working with us.

Read more stories

Cookie Policy

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.

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Home - Aiming to change the lives of women injured during childbirth.

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MASIC supports women who have suffered injuries during childbirth; OASI, Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries, or 3rd degree & 4th degree tears.

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https://gthr.co.uk/51af

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Your experience of our services is so important to us. If you would like to provide us anonymous feedback on this Padlet or any of our services (MBU, PMHCS, or Thrive), please use this links/QR codes below.

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The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 – a new leave and pay entitlement for parents with a baby in neonatal care – comes into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on 6 April 2025.

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Neonatal Care Leave and Pay: Guidance and FAQs | Bliss

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The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 – a new leave and pay entitlement for parents with a baby in neonatal care – comes into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on 6 April 2025.

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This 5min video supports you through a 1minute mediation aimed to help reduce stress, improve focus and find peace.

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One-Moment Meditation: "How to Meditate in a Moment"

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An honest story of premature birth, neonatal care and their impact on family mental health and wellbeing.

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Find about more about premature birth and neonatal care, and the impact they've both had on non-fiction author, Amy Brett, and her family's mental health, wellbeing and stability.

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Dads can sometimes be overlooked in the pregnancy journey but its important to know that preterm birth is difficult for them too. Here you can find advice for dads supporting their families and babies in NICU.

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Small Wonders are 12 bite-size films following families and their journey in neonatal units.

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Watch Small Wonders videos here
Supporting you when your baby is sick or premature
More than 1 in every 10 UK babies is born prematurely or sick. As well as professional support there's so much that only you as a parent can do to make a real difference to your baby's chances of growing up fit and strong.

It can be very distressing to be told when you're pregnant that your baby is likely to be born prematurely, however there are so many ways you can make a real difference to their health and wellbeing.

Small Wonders are 12 bite-size films following families and their journey in neo-natal units.
Topics covered:

Birth

First hours

Expressing breast milk

Holding your baby

Your time in hospital

Feeding independently

Preparing for home

First months at home

Twins and triplets

Bereavement

What is Small Wonders?
Seeing how other parents have coped in a similar situation can be comforting. Seeing them become involved in their baby's care can help you feel more confident to get involved in your own baby's care.

The films, endorsed by seven Royal Colleges and many charities, aim to support families of sick and premature babies through their experiences and form the heart of a National Change Programme.

Best Beginnings has supplied Small Wonders DVDs to around 150 neonatal units in hospitals across the UK. The films address sensitive situations, some of which may not be right for you at this time. If in doubt, ask the advice of your hospital staff before watching.

We have worked closely with over 200 families, experts and endorsing organisations to produce these films and the DVD has been endorsed by over 20 organisations, including UNICEF and RCPCH.
How do I watch Small Wonders?
For a quick look at the Small Wonders, click . You can also watch online on the Baby Buddy app , on our YouTube channel, and on the desktop version of Baby Buddy. You can buy copies of the Small Wonders DVD, which comes with the supporting booklet, from our online shop. If you are a parent of a sick or premature baby you can receive a copy of the DVD for free through your hospital.
Ways parents can participate in their baby's care:

Regular skin-to-skin/kangaroo care. Skin-to-skin contact reduces susceptibility to infection and can help to stabilise a baby's temperature and reduce the length of hospital stay. It also improves awareness and helps mother to produce milk

Providing and feeding breast milk to your baby, for example through expressing. Breast milk is very important because it reduces infections and advances mental and emotional development

Providing comforting touch and comfort holding. Time spent holding or touching your sick or premature baby allows you to bond, which increases your baby's responsiveness and lets you get to know one another

Day-to-day care such as nappy changing or bathing your baby

Best Beginnings collaborates with other organisations to ensure that families receive the best possible support. For more information regarding premature and sick babies, visit the Bliss website or call their Family Support Helpline for free on 0500 618140.
What mums and dads think of Small Wonders
"I found the films useful as I am in a similar situation as some of the parents and it gives a good idea of what to expect."

"I have had a premature baby but I learnt a lot from watching these films. There are a MUST for parents who haven't had previous experience of a neonatal unit. Really good!"

"Absolutely fantastic films. Very informative and a great insight into what's to come when having a premature baby. So glad that I got a chance to watch these as it really helped myself and my partner."
Want to know more about Small Wonders?
Visit the Small Wonders Impact and Evaluation page.
To find out how Best Beginnings can work with you in your are and use our Small Wonders resources email Nilu, our Head of Evaluation and Impact at [email protected]

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Supporting you when your baby is sick or premature. Small wonders project include 12 bite-size films following families and their journey in neo-natal units. Learn more here.

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Black Maternity Matters: maternity care improvement project - Maternity & Midwifery Forum %

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Last week two important reports demonstrating racism across UK Maternity services were released. In this week’s article Ann Remmers, Maternal and Neonatal Clinical lead, West of England Academic Health Science Network, shares a co-produced project to improve the care of Black women in the South West Region.

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Some premature and unwell babies may need more nutrients in addition to breast milk. Find information on supplements, such as breast milk fortifier, to increase the amount of nutrition in their milk.

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We hope this reassures you that there is not one, straightforward feeding experience, and that every parent's journey is different.

On this page, we will talk about the different types of nutrition that your baby might be fed in neonatal care. Breast milk provides the best nutrition and protection for your baby, but there are also reasons why your baby may need to be fed with other types of nutrition or need more support with feeding during their stay in neonatal care and beyond.

How to know if your baby is getting enough nutrition

You can be sure that your baby is getting enough nutrition if they:

Have plenty of wet and dirty nappies (the consistency and amount will change as babies get older and depending on what they are fed)

Are growing and gaining weight

Are mostly settled and calm between feeds, if they are fed by tube, or are breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

Steady weight gain is a good way of showing that your baby is feeding and growing well. But all babies will gain weight at a different rate. This will be monitored during your baby's stay on the neonatal unit and when you get home. Always talk to a member of staff on the neonatal unit if you have any concerns.

Parenteral nutrition (PN)

Some babies born very premature or sick will not be able to have milk straight away.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is nutrition in a liquid form that is given directly into your baby's bloodstream intravenously (through a vein). The solution has nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It is called total parenteral nutrition (TPN) where it is used as the only source of nutrition.

Colostrum and first milk

The first milk that mothers produce is called colostrum. Colostrum is often thicker and more yellow in colour than breastmilk. It contains a rich mix of proteins, including antibodies that can help protect against infections. Colostrum comes in small amounts, but this will increase the more times you express. Some research has shown that introducing colostrum as early as possible to babies born premature or sick can reduce the time it takes for them to be able to feed successfully, and can reduce the risk of infections.

Breast milk

Breast milk is the best milk for nutrition, growth and development for all infants. It has many benefits, including the following:

It boosts your baby's immune system and protects against infections, such as gut and chest infections.

It has antibodies from the mother that can protect your baby against bacteria and viruses.

It can reduce the risk of your baby developing necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a serious condition that can happen in babies born premature.

It provides other nutrients, growth factors and hormones that help your baby grow and develop during the vital early months after birth.

It improves brain development.

It is very easy to digest and is absorbed more easily than formula milks.

Your baby may not be well enough or strong enough to breastfeed straight away. If this is the case, the staff at the hospital will help you to express (collect) your breast milk, as soon as possible after the baby's birth. You can do this by hand or with a breast pump. There are other reasons why parents may express milk for their baby.

After expressing your breast milk, the milk can be frozen and stored until your baby is ready to feed. Expressed milk can also be given to your baby directly into their stomach using a feeding tube, which is useful if they are too unwell to feed from a breast or bottle. Breast milk can be given by bottle once your baby has learned to suck, swallow, and breathe on their own.

Expressing breast milk can take time to learn, and the staff looking after your baby will give you positive support and practical help with this. Try not to worry if you are not expressing a lot of milk at first. Speak to your midwife or feeding specialist on the neonatal unit for more support.

Supplements and fortifiers

Babies born premature or sick may also need extra vitamins and minerals for growth, so your baby may be given supplements to breast milk. Your baby's doctor may prescribe a breast milk fortifier (which is usually a powder made from cow's milk) which can be added to breast milk. This can help with growth and bone development.

If your baby needs more milk than is available, your baby's doctor may prescribe donor breast milk or a formula (see below) for preterm babies, to be taken alongside your milk.

We have more detailed information about expressing milk and breastfeeding.

Donor milk

If you have a low supply of milk, or are unable to breastfeed, some hospitals can provide donated breast milk for your baby. Donor milk may be used for a baby who is at a high risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), because they are very premature, or at a very low birthweight. This is because there is some evidence that donor milk can reduce the risk of NEC in premature babies when compared to formula milk. This makes it a good alternative to breast milk for these babies. However, donor milk is not as effective as mother's own milk.

Speak to unit staff for more information, or if you have any concerns about receiving donor milk. They can also give you information about what to do if you have extra milk.

For more information about donor milk, visit the United Kingdom Association for Milk Banking (UKAMB) or The Human Milk Foundation website.

Formula

If you decide not to breastfeed or express your milk, your baby may be prescribed a special preterm formula designed especially for their nutritional needs.

This may be given by a feeding tube at first, but can be given by bottle once your baby has learned to suck, swallow, and breathe on their own. Your doctor will talk to you if they think your baby will benefit from a preterm formula milk. If needed, your doctor may prescribe your baby a preterm formula milk to be used at home.

Some parents may choose to feed their baby using a first infant formula. These do not contain the additional nutrients of preterm formula, but sometimes preterm formula is not needed or recommended. Formulas do not have the same benefits as breast milk for your baby, and does not provide protection from infection. Formula milk is also not as easy for your baby to digest as breast milk. However, formula may be the right choice for some families for other reasons.

If you feed your baby using formula, staff on the neonatal unit should show you how to make up feeds safely before you go home from the unit. The NHS website also has some information about this. On some units, staff may ask you to bring in your chosen formula (if not prescribed), but will supply you with sterile bottles and teats at first. In time, you may want to bring in your own bottles so your baby can start to get used to them.

We have more information about bottle feeding your baby.

Combination feeding

Some parents may feed their baby through a combination of breast milk and formula. This is often known as combination feeding. Combination feeding may be used if you are unable to produce enough milk, or are finding it difficult to breastfeed. Some parents choose to combination feed so that they can share feeds between them. Combination feeding may be something you had planned to do. But if this is not the case, don't be hard on yourself if you combination feed for other reasons. Talk to a feeding specialist, your midwife or health visitor if you have any questions or concerns about combination feeding.

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Babies born premature or sick often have different nutritional needs. Find out more about the different types of nutrition that your baby might be fed in neonatal care.

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Here you can access a FREE NHS online course about understanding and caring for your preterm or unwell baby.

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If your baby has arrived early or is receiving specialist medical care, life may feel uncertain. It is normal to be processing worry, exhaustion and hope all at once. Neonatal health specialists and clinical psychologists created this pathway to support you.

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Special considerations for premature babies being discharged from Neonatal Units.

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The first hours after birth are a developmentally distinct time for a baby and there are well documented short and long term physical and psychological advantages when a baby is held skin to skin during this time.

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Healthy Children Project
159 Long Pond Drive
Harwich, MA 02645
Ph: 508.888.8044
Fax: 508.888.8050

The First Hour After Birth: A Baby's 9 Instinctive Stages

The first hours after birth are a developmentally distinct time for a baby and there are well documented short and long term physical and psychological advantages when a baby is held skin to skin during this time.

When a baby is in skin to skin contact after birth there are nine observable newborn stages, happening in a specific order, that are innate and instinctive for the baby. Within each of these stages, there are a variety of actions the baby may demonstrate.

Stage 1: The Birth Cry
The first stage is the birth cry. This distinctive cry occurs immediately after birth as the baby's lungs expand.

Stage 2: Relaxation
The second stage is the relaxation stage. During the relaxation stage, the newborn exhibits no mouth movements and the hands are relaxed. This stage usually begins when the birth cry has stopped. The baby is skin to skin with the mother and covered with a warm, dry towel or blanket.
Stage 3: Awakening The third stage is the awakening stage. During this stage the newborn exhibits small thrusts of movement in the head and shoulders. This stage usually begins about 3 minutes after birth. The newborn in the awakening stage may exhibit head movements, open his eyes, show some mouth activity and might move his shoulders.

Stage 4: Activity
The fourth stage is the activity stage. During this stage, the newborn begins to make increased mouthing and sucking movements as the rooting reflex becomes more obvious. This stage usually begins about 8 minutes after birth.

Stage 5: Rest
At any point, the baby may rest. The baby may have periods of resting between periods of activity throughout the first hour or so after birth.

Stage 6: Crawling
The sixth stage is the crawling stage. The baby approaches the breast during this stage with short periods of action that result in reaching the breast and nipple. This stage usually begins about 35 minutes after birth.

Stage 7: Familiarization
The seventh stage is called familiarization. During this stage, the newborn becomes acquainted with the mother by licking the nipple and touching and massaging her breast. This stage usually begins around 45 minutes after birth and could last for 20 minutes or more.

Stage 8: Suckling
The eighth stage is suckling. During this stage, the newborn takes the nipple, self attaches and suckles. This early experience of learning to breastfeed usually begins about an hour after birth. If the mother has had analgesia/anesthesia during labor, it may take more time with skin to skin for the baby to complete the stages and begin suckling.

Stage 9: Sleep
The final stage is sleep. The baby and sometimes the mother fall into a restful sleep. Babies usually fall asleep about 1½ to 2 hours after birth.

Benefits for Babies:
Regardless of how you are feeding your baby, your baby can benefit from skin to skin contact.

Babies are warmer.

Babies are calmer.

Babies can hear their mother's heartbeat.

Heart and breathing rates are normalized.

Milk supply may be improved.

Other family members can hold and bond with babies through skin to skin holding too!

What To Do in the First Hour with Mother

You and your baby are covered with a blanket. The baby's head stays out. The baby is naked and not wrapped. You and your baby will rest skin to skin for an hour or two after birth. This is a special time for you and your baby. Necessary procedures and checks are done with the mother and baby skin to skin.

If there are medical reasons that keep you and your baby from skin to skin holding right after birth, start as soon as possible.

If you are on medications or anything that might impair your strength or ability to stay awake when holding the baby, be sure someone else can help you care for the baby and hold the baby skin to skin.

Kajsa Brimdyr, PhD, CLC
Healthy Children Project
159 Long Pond Drive
Harwich, MA 02645, (508) 888 8044

© Health Education Associates, Inc. Based on the research of Widström, et al.

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Healthy Children Project 159 Long Pond Drive Harwich, MA 02645 Ph: 508.888.8044 Fax: 508.888.8050 The First Hour After Birth: A Baby's 9 Instinctive Stages The first hours after birth are a developmentally distinct time for a baby and there are well documented short and long term physical and psychological advantages when a baby is held skin to skin during this time.

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This padlet is a wealth of evidence-based information to support you and your feeding.

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The National Breastfeeding Helpline offers friendly, non-judgemental, independent, evidence based breastfeeding support and information to anyone in the UK who needs it. The helpline is provided by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.

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National Breastfeeding Helpline - Helpline

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This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.

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La Leche League provide mother-to-mother, parent-to-parent breastfeeding support across Great Britain and the Isle of Man. Trained breastfeeding counsellors are available to support you to feed effectively and understand and satisfy the needs of your baby.

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Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onward.

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Feeding your little one can be incredibly rewarding but challenging and doing it alone can be even harder. We encourage you to build your support team. However you and your baby feed, please find links to trusted sources of information and support for your feeding journey.

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Here we hope to save links to things that are going on in your area related to perinatal wellbeing. Links may change as dates past so please check back regularly!

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Both Parents Matter aims to support children to maintain a meaningful and loving relationship with both parents and their wider families during separation.

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Both Parents Matter is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents and their wider family after separation.

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ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.

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ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.

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PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Here you can find professional advice and information and helpline details.

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Skip to content

Watch the full video

Thinking of suicide?

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINE247.

My whole way of thinking has changed. I feel positive about my future and the people around me. I'm now looking forward to the future and helping others just like me!

Thank you so much for the incredible support PAPYRUS and HOPELINE247 has given me. You helped me in that moment and it kept me alive.

I intend to continue to fundraise for and promote PAPYRUS. I am so proud and humbled to be involved with a wonderful charity, and to have received the support that I have.

Having been personally bereaved by suicide I understand the importance and need for our charity. I am surrounded by others who are as passionate as I am about saving lives.

* All feedback is provided by people who contact PAPYRUS. All feedback has full consent of the user and the user remains fully anonymous. Some feedback may have been adapted to keep the users anonymity.

Our latest news

Stay up to date with PAPYRUS; our news section is regularly updated with helpful advice and guidance, as well as information about our upcoming events and campaigns. If you have any questions or queries please get in touch.

Our upcoming events

Please see below some of our upcoming and exciting events including fundraisers and charity events we will be attending. For more information please get in touch.

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Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide

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PAPYRUS UK is a charity for the prevention of young suicide (under 35) in the UK | Call PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 Now

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Jonathan’s House CIC offers a sanctuary for men seeking to heal and rebuild their lives after experiencing abuse. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all men, whether they are of any faith, cultural background, or sexual orientation. Through our safe spaces and educational initiatives, we aim to empower male survivors and foster positive transformation across the UK.

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Jonathan’s House provides a safe space for men who have suffered abuse to talk, heal and be restored. Need help? Call 0800 5244 202.

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Mankind confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.

They provide an information and signposting service to men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or husband. This can range from physical violence or object throwing to abuse such as constant bullying or insults.

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Charity supporting male victims of domestic abuse through a helpline, directory of local services and general information on the website.

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NCDV is a free, fast emergency injunction service to those at risk of all forms of domestic abuse regardless of their financial situation, ethnicity, gender or sexuality.

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Domestic Violence & Abuse · Emergency Injunction Service

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A free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation.

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The Mens' Advice Line Information Hub was created to help you find contacts to your local male victim’s domestic abuse service, access refuges / safe houses for male victims, and find a range of services offering specialised support for other areas of need including housing and homelessness, immigration, mental health and wider. You can contact them over the phone, Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, or through webchat, Wednesdays 10-11.30am and Thursdays 2-4pm.

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This factsheet explains what a non-molestation order is, how it can protect victims of domestic abuse, and how to apply for one.

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Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men's Advice Line UK

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The Men's Advice Line is for male victims of domestic abuse. We offer confidential advice, non-judgmental support, practical information and help

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Child’s Vision was set up to give children the support they need to ‘Break The Cycle’ of the effects of domestic abuse. Here you can find out more about 1:1 support and wellbeing workshops for young children and teens.

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Prestige Award Winners of Children’s Charity of the Year 2024/25! Read the full article here.

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There is good evidence about the benefits of singing to people's physical and mental health. Use this link to find a singing-mama group in your area. You'll lower your stress levels, improve your mood and increase your bond with your baby.

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SOBS offers UK peer-led support to adults impacted by suicide loss.

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Those of us who have experienced this terrible tragedy truly understand. None of us need to suffer alone. Together we help each other.

We help individuals support each other, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow. We aim to provide safe, confidential environments where people can share their experiences and feelings, giving and gaining support from each other.

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Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide - Overcoming the isolation of people bereaved by suicide

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We are the only UK-based organisation offering peer-led support to adults impacted by suicide loss. We help individuals support each other, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow. We aim to provide safe, confidential environments where people can share their experiences and feelings, giving and gaining support from each other.