What can make a difference when experiencing perinatal mental illness Aberlour Perinatal Befriending Support Forth Valley

Aberlour Perinatal Befriending Support SERVICE AIMS: Improve parents’ mental health and well-being Support positive relationships between parents and their babies Reduce social isolation for families Increase parents’ self confidence by working with volunteer befrienders

ROLE OF PERINATAL COORDINATORS Training the volunteer befrienders Matching befrienders with families Review of family situation to determine whether befriending is an appropriate intervention Ongoing review and monitoring of the families being supported Undertaking assessment of mental health and well-being of mother using the following tools:

Measuring the progress you make OUTCOME SCALES Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) Maternal Social Support Index (MSSI) Prenatal Attachment Inventory My Baby ( Mothers Object Relations Scale – MORS) General Self Efficacy Aberlour Perinatal Befriending Support Perinatal Outcomes Booklet Measuring the progress you make

Top 10 Tips to Good Mental Health 1. Be active – healthy body, healthy food and healthy mind 2. Nature is nurture – get outside and enjoy the sunshine 3. Try something new – take an interest in a new hobby, course or activity 4. It’s good to talk – pick up the phone 5. Believe in yourself – be proud of who you are and what you’re good at 6. Make time for yourself – “me time” 7. Get your 40 winks – a good night’s sleep helps emotional wellbeing 8. Reflect – remember something you’re proud of having achieved today 9. Don’t take on the world in a day – small steps, small targets 10. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – talking about your feelings is part of staying healthy

VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDERS TRAINING 7 x 3 hours sessions Agenda includes:- Risk factors & conditions associated with Perinatal Mental Illness Getting it Right For Every Child Protection of Children, young people & vulnerable groups Domestic Abuse and its potential impact on well-being Attachment Theory, its origins and how to promote secure attachments The development of a baby’s brain Key role of volunteer befriender Aberlour Induction

BEFRIENDERS’ ONGOING SUPPORT 1:1 interview after attending training Continuous monitoring after each Befriending session 8 weekly 1:1 social care supervision 3 monthly group supervision Additional training e.g. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Paediatric First Aid, Babies in Mind

ROLE OF THE BEFRIENDER Home visits offering emotional and practical support Supporting parents to access local services e.g. health appointments, shops, parks etc. Reduce social isolation Use of listening skills: not to give advice Maintain contact with the Coordinators Record a session note after each visit with a parent Commit to 3 hours per week for one year. “My befriender really helped me and all she did was listen. Its amazing how speaking aloud to someone can help sort things that are so muddled.”

MY LIVED EXPERIENCE Hazel Robertson This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

Life Changes: Life experiences during and after postpartum depression Support network available Next pregnancy Aberlour Positive outcomes Life Changes: This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Postpartum Depression: The Struggle 2008-2013 Help, Help, Help: No support. Left to struggle. Lack of knowledge/understanding what needs where needing to be met. Medication. Active listening. Slept through life. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Isolation after pregnancy Lack of support Stuck in routine Reducing stress levels Clean, clean, clean Services What's important This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

New Beginnings Health visitor referral Anxious, panicked : oh no not another service Will I be judged? Will it help? 1st Meeting Meeting befriender Progress This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Where I am now ..... Confident Better attachment with children Empowered Have a purpose Living life Awake Achieving Where I am now ..... This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

How Aberlour Helped Motivation A friend Trust Non judgemental A good listener Empowerment Confidence Top Ten Tips