It’s OK not to be OK

“I should be happy… but I’m not.”

MORETHANTHEBABYBLUES?

38%

OF

NEW FATHERS

ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR

MENTAL HEALTH

1 10 in DADS HAVE

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

z z z Lack of energy

Feeling tearful or low

Extreme changes in appetite

Feeling worthlessness, guilty or emotionally numb

Lack of sleep or too much sleep

Lack of interest in sex

Difficulty concentrating

Lack of interest in baby

May include the following:

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

HELP AND SUPPORT FOR MEN AND WOMEN:

Some medication is safe to use during pregnancy and

breastfeeding. Your doctor or psychiatrist can advise you

regarding this.

§ Take time to do something you enjoy

§ Exercise has been proven to help relieve feelings of depression

§ Join a local support group or an online community

§ Talk to your partner or someone you can trust

§ Discuss your feelings with your midwife, GP or Health Visitor

§ Join a local support group such as Mind

Talking Therapies

Medication

Self Help

You could be exper ienc ing Per ina ta l Depress ion…

Don’t be frightened. Help and support is available.

Antenatal Birth 2 weeks after birth 3 months 6 months +

Baby Blues Antenatal

Depression Postnatal Depression

In the UK, it is common to believe that perinatal

depression is just about women, but it’s not.

“REAL MEN DON’T CRY”

THE PEAK TIME FOR PATERNAL POSTNATAL

DEPRESSION IS 3-6 FOLLOWING BIRTH months

NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN?

BETWEEN

Baby Blues is a normal emotional state following childbirth that is caused by your changing hormones. It is

mild and lasts no longer than 2 weeks.

Perinatal Depression is not normal, and although common, it is more severe. It can be experienced during

pregnancy, and up to 1 year after birth.

1 7 in

WOMEN HAVE

postnatally DEPRESSION

Poster produced by: Donna Collins, Fiona Drayton, Elisabeth Fisher, Safiyyah Khan and Crystal Lenford

If your symptoms are severe, seek urgent care. CALL 999 OR ATTEND A&E

PANDAS – www.pandasfoundation.org.uk Helpline: 0843 28 98 401

MIND – www.mind.org.uk Helpline: 0300 123 3393

50% Approx.

of these episodes started during pregnancy