What does the Perinatal Mental Health Service do?
The Perinatal Mental Health Service is a specialist community service for women who require specialist mental health assessment and treatment in pregnancy and up to a year after the baby’s birth. We care for women with moderate to severe mental health conditions and those who are at risk of developing one in the perinatal period. We work with women from 12 weeks gestation up until baby is 1 year old.
The aim of the team is to improve the health and wellbeing of the women, their babies and their families through prevention, detection and management of mental health problems during the perinatal period. We offer a comprehensive mental health assessment to identify your needs and strengths, and we will work together with you to develop a plan during pregnancy and or the postnatal period. The Perinatal team will support and monitor your mental health to reduce the risk of developing a mental health condition or experience a relapse of a pre-existing condition.
We also provide:
- A range of evidence based interventions tailored to your specific needs.
- Advice and information to partners and family members to help them understand your risk of becoming unwell and how best to support you.
- We will also offer carers assessments and provide support as necessary.
- We provide advice on prescribing medication during pregnancy and in the post-natal period.
- We support and advise to help build and enhance relationship between mum and baby and to build self-confidence.
- We will also work closely with others involved in your care.
- We provide preconceptual counselling for those women planning a pregnancy and are known to have a moderate to severe mental illness.
- We may also suggest other services that offer practical help and support for you or your family. This could be a local voluntary group or charity.’
What staff work in the Perinatal Mental Health Service?
Our team serves the Western Health and Social Care and consists of a comprehensive Multidisciplinary Team, including a Consultant Psychiatrist, Lead Nurse, Parent Infant Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Social Worker, a Midwife, a Health Visitor, an Occupational Therapist, and administration staff.
Where is the Perinatal Mental Health Service located?
We have 2 bases in Omagh and in Derry/Londonderry.
Team Number- 028 7161 0784
How do patients access the Perinatal Mental Health Service?
A referral must be made into the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team by your GP, Midwifery, Health Visiting and Trust Mental Health teams. Self-referrals are not accepted.
When is the Perinatal Mental Health Service available?
The Perinatal Mental Health Service operates from Monday to Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM