Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services currently prioritise people who are within the perinatal period for psychological assessment and support. You can find your local service via this link Find an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) - NHS (www.nhs.uk). If you choose to make a referral to an IAPT service, please ensure you specify on your referral form that you are within the perinatal period.
Support for Pre- and Post-Natal Mental Health
PANDAS - Pre- and Post-Natal Depression Awareness and Support
Offer support and advice for any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. Dedicated volunteer team are on hand to offer support, advice and can help to signpost to other organisations if necessary. Browse a range of information and resources, online communities and local support groups. They offer specific online support for dads (PANDA Dads).
- Helpline: 0808 1961776 - open 11am-10pm, 365 days a year
- Text: PANDAS to 85258
- Email service available through their website
- PANDAS
Association for Post-Natal Illness
Provide support and information to anyone suffering from or affected by post-natal illness, including partners, friends and family.
- Phoneline: 0207 386 0868
- Email: info@apni.org
- Messaging service available through their website
- APNI - Association for Post-Natal Illness | Post Natal Depression
Support for Parents and Families
Family Action - Family Line
Supports adult family members by providing immediate and long-term support, practical information and guidance, emotional support, one-to-one befriending support and short-term telephone counselling.
- Helpline: 0808 802 6666 - open 9am-9pm, Monday to Friday
- Text: FAMILYACTION to 85258
- Live web chat available through their website
- FamilyLine - Family Action (family-action.org.uk
Family Lives
Supports parents through online and local support. Access information and advice about pregnancy and miscarriage, early years, as well as returning to work.
- Helpline: 0808 800 2222 - open 9am-9pm Monday to Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday
- Email: askus@familylives.org.uk
- Via web chat available through their website.
- Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus) | Family Lives
DadPad
Access information and resources to support new dads and their partners, developed with the NHS. Their practical guide currently costs £12 to access.
Parents Online
Access free text-based emotional support for parents and carers through their chat platform. The team of peer support workers have their own personal experience of parenting and is passionate about providing hope and understanding to fellow parents.
- Web chat available through their website 6pm-9pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Parents Online - Parents Online
Support for Unplanned Pregnancies
NUPAS (National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service)
Commissioned by the NHS, they provide pregnancy advice, abortion services, pregnancy testing, STI screening and contraception. Initial consultations can be access 7 days a week. NUPAS offer a pre-abortion counselling service for anyone considering abortion. Their fully trained, compassionate and knowledgeable counsellors offer counselling over the telephone or face to face in a confidential and non-judgemental environment. After having an abortion their counsellors are available for post-abortion counselling.
- Helpline: 0333 004 6666 - open 24 hours a day, 365 days a years
- Live web chat available through their website.
- Abortion Counselling | Support & Advice | NUPAS
BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service)
Offer information and guidance on pregnancy testing, contraception, fertility, miscarriage care, foetal anomaly care, sexual transmitted diseases, vasectomies and erectile dysfunction. Their website also provides a range of signposting to NHS and other organisations which can support you in your journey.
Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline
Promoted the emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being of clients, by the provision of real understanding, counselling and supportive help to women, men and families after an abortion. All services are offered confidentially, compassionately, without judgement and free of charge for those struggling in the aftermath of an abortion through their helpline, one-to-one free counselling and support groups.
- Helpline: 03456038501 - open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday; 7pm-10pm every day
- Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline (archtrust.org.uk)
Support for Bereaved Parents
Aiden’s Elephants
Support for bereaved parents as well as their friends and family. Access information and resources, as well as recommended reading through their website.
Support for Surrogates and Intended Parents
Surrogacy UK
Access help, information and support to help you through all stages of surrogacy, including signposting to other specialist organisations. Connect with other surrogates, intended parents and families through social events.
- Email service available through their website.
- Surrogacy UK