During Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (2-8 May 2022) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is highlighting that it is one of ten Trusts in England to be an early leader in piloting a maternal mental health service which launched in October 2021[i].
Research from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance shows that 20% of women will experience a mental health condition during pregnancy and up to a year after having a baby. Of those, 70% will hide or underplay how they’re feeling[ii].
The Trust is providing specialist perinatal mental health services to deliver vital care to women and their families who experience mental health difficulties such as birth trauma, PTSD and depression.
They are also supporting Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week – a campaign dedicated to talking about mental health problems during and after pregnancy – and are delivering free community sessions online and across the county to raise awareness of support available and the services they offer.
There is also a Mental Wellbeing Walk being organised from 11am until 12noon on Sunday 8th May for parents and members of the team to connect and appreciate the benefit of walking and connecting in improving mental wellbeing. Book tickets here.
NHFT is the community provider for mental health services in Northamptonshire and was chosen to develop and trial a Maternal Mental Health Service (MMHS) as a pilot site during 2021-22 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. For more information on the maternal mental health services offered by NHFT visit https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/perinatal
NHFT is part of the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ recruitment campaign. They are currently recruiting for several positions within the mental health service including two Band 6 Mental Health Practitioners. This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding service that is working with schools, ensuring children and young people receive faster access to mental health support. Salary is £32,306 to £39,027 and the closing date for applications is 16th May 2022.
There is also a Band 5 Mental Health Legislation Administrator position available covering the day to day administration of all aspects of the Mental Health Act 1983, working closely with professionals across the Trust to ensure full compliance. Salary is £22,549 to £24,882 and the closing date for applications is 11th May 2022.