Supporting Mums’ Mental Health: CPSL Mind’s Impactful Perinatal Services

At CPSL Mind, the leading local mental health charity for Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire, the charity understands that motherhood can be both an incredibly rewarding and challenging experience. Mental health plays a crucial role in that journey, yet many mums face mental health challenges without the support they need. CPSL Mind’s perinatal services, which include specialised courses and community groups. The Perinatal service currently offers support to mums from pregnancy up until the child is 2 years old.

As we approach Mother’s Day on Sunday 30^th March, the charity is encouraging everyone to consider the mental health needs of mums and the importance of creating spaces where they can be heard and supported. CPSL Mind’s courses and groups, as detailed below, are a vital part of this support, and the charity is proud of the positive impact the groups have on mums across their community.

Perinatal Mental Health: The Statistics

Recent statistics show that 1 in 5 mums experience perinatal mental health challenges, although experts believe the number may be much higher. This is due to stigma and fear, which often prevents women from speaking up about how they are feeling. Tragically, maternal suicide remains the leading cause of death in women during the first year after childbirth—a fact that many people are unaware of.

<Source: maternalmentalhealthalliance.org>

At CPSL Mind, they’re committed to breaking down these barriers and providing a safe space for mums to talk about their mental health, connect with others, and get the support they need.

Courses Designed by Mums, For Mums

CPSL Mind’s courses are at the heart of their work in supporting perinatal mental health. Designed by mums for mums, their courses are carefully tailored to address the real, everyday challenges that mums face.

Programmes like Mums Matter, a national Mind initiative, were developed using the service design toolkit. It’s an eight-week course aimed at women who are experiencing mental health challenges in the perinatal period and are suffering from symptoms such as, worrying thoughts, anxiety, and postnatal depression. Similarly, their Connecting Mums course provides women with the opportunity to develop meaningful connections with other mums and learn new ways to stay emotionally healthy. It’s a six-week course for expecting or new mums, focussing on the five ways to wellbeing – keep learning, connect, take notice, give, and be active.

Supporting Muslim Mums is another six-week course specifically designed and tailored to Muslim Mums, incorporating faith-based material and culturally sensitive issues.

They also offer Mindful Mums Groups – these focus on sharing wellbeing skills and keeping connected with each other for friendship and support. All of these courses were adapted locally at CPSL Mind based on feedback from mums in their community.

These programmes focus on creating safe, supportive environments where mums can share their experiences, build connections, and learn effective coping strategies. Through these groups, mums gain the confidence to manage their mental health and wellbeing while connecting with other women who truly understand what they’re going through.

Real Stories, Real Impact

The impact of these groups is best told through the voices of the mums themselves:

“The course encourages accepting your feelings and shows that so many of us are in very similar headspaces. It helps to know we aren’t alone, and it brings together like-minded women.”

“I loved getting to know other mums who are in the same situation as I am. It provided me with a safe environment to talk and connect with others.”

“The course I attended was actually better than I was expecting. Katy (Perinatal Project Worker) put me right at ease to discuss exactly how I was feeling. She was welcoming, calm, patient, and friendly. She made everyone feel comfortable and confident.”

Supporting Mums Every Step of the Way

According to Jen Anker, Perinatal Service Manager at CPSL Mind, “The importance of these mum groups cannot be overstated. They provide a unique and invaluable support network where mums can share their experiences, gain emotional support, and build lasting connections. These groups help break the isolation that many mums feel and encourage them to prioritise their mental health.”

Join Them in Supporting Mums’ Mental Health

This Mother’s Day let’s show mums that their mental health matters. If you or someone you know would benefit from their perinatal services, they’re here to help – don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make sure no mum feels alone in her journey. Visit the CPSL Mind website or contact them to learn more about the courses and support they offer.

For more information, visit CPSL Mind’s Perinatal Services.

If you are experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis, there are people who can help you. Call the NHS First Response Service on 111 and select the mental health option.

There is also support available from other organisations:

Samaritans are a UK-wide free to phone service. Call 116 123

24 hours a day, every day.

Launched by NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and in partnership with the national service SHOUT, the free to use text service HEAR 85258 provides real-time support to people of all ages who are struggling with their mental health.

When texting the word HEAR to 85258, the person will be connected to a mental health clinician who will take them from a place of crisis to a place of calm.

For more information about CPSL Mind and its services, visit: www.cpslmind.org.uk