​

NHS are set to open new mental health support hubs, benefitting thousands of mothers, as part of the improvement for NHS maternal healthcare.

​

Included in the latest of the mental health rollout, a total of 26 support sites will open assisting new, expectant, and bereaved mothers announced NHS leaders. With expectations of opening the first 10 sites within only a few months and the rest to open by April 2022.

​

The increased push for NHS mental healthcare comes following the opening of the mental health hubs for NHS staff earlier in the year, with the new support hubs combining both maternity care and psychological therapy.

​

Nearly 800,000 NHS professionals accessed the mental health support services provided to them during the pandemic. Adding to the rollout, the new mother support hubs will offer treatment for different mental health problems such as postnatal stress disorder, severe fear of childbirth, and more confirmed a spokesperson for the NHS.

​

The first 10 sites to open are located in:

• Birmingham & Solihull
  
  

• Leicestershire
  
  

• Northamptonshire
  
  

• Shropshire Telford & Wrekin
  
  

• South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw
  
  

• Lancashire and South Cumbria
  
  

• Hampshire and Isle of Wight
  
  

• Kent and Medway
  
  

• Cornwall
  
  

• Devon

Others to be announced later.

​

Alongside the treatment of patients, specialist training will be provided for NHS maternity and midwifery staff.

​

NHS England's National Mental Health Director, Claire Murdoch, spoke about the opening of the support hubs saying "Every woman has a unique experience with pregnancy and motherhood and some will need extra support to cope with mental health issues that can range from anxiety to severe depression so I am delighted that mothers across all areas of the country will be able to access this help if they need it.

​

"The NHS is here for everyone who needs help and the expansion of specialist care through the rollout of these maternal mental health services will strengthen the services already in place, enabling us to improve the quality of care and outcomes for many women.

​

"I would encourage any mum who needs this support to come forward safe in the knowledge that her mental health and wellbeing are of paramount importance and she should not feel ashamed of accessing the help she needs."

​

An estimate of around 6,000 women will receive care and treatment for mental health issues related to childbirth by the end of 2021 to 2022. The aim is to include one of these sites in every area by April 2024 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.​

​

If you are ​struggling to cope with the issues right now, you can visit:https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

​