Perinatal mental health

You might need help from the perinatal mental health service if:

• You have moderate or severe mental health problems, or have had them in the past
• Your mental health problems are not getting better with help from your GP.

We provide services in the boroughs of Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Milton Keynes, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. 

We offer specialist assessment, treatment, advice and support:

• Preconception advice for women with complex or severe mental health problems
• Assessment and care for women with mental health needs during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth (many women do not need to be seen for the whole 12 months)
• Advice on the risks and benefits of using mental health medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Care planning for pregnant women with severe mental health problems
• Planning for the postnatal period to promote wellbeing and prevent relapse
• Identification and management of the impact of obstetric complications on a woman’s mental health
• Facilitating access to the most appropriate type of psychological interventions
• Advice and support on the mother-infant relationship
• Training and education to service users and their partners, relatives and friends, health and social care professionals and voluntary organisations.

We have a Maternity Trauma and Loss Care (MTLC) service which provides specialist support and treatment to people who've experienced pregnancy or birth and currently pregnant people who're affected by severe fear of childbirth, birth trauma or baby loss.

For residents in Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster: 

Visit the website

If residents live in Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow they can refer to the West London service:

Visit the West London Maternity Trauma and Loss Care Service webpage

If residents live in Milton Keynes:

Visit the MK-TMTLC webpage

Some women can develop severe mental health difficulties within the first year after giving birth.

Women with these illnesses, such as postpartum psychosis, are treated in hospital - in a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU).

Coombe Wood is a specialist perinatal service providing inpatient treatment and support for mothers experiencing mental health and emotional difficulties. Mothers are admitted with their babies, and you'll be supported with caring for your baby while you have the care and treatment you need.

Find out more by visiting the Coombe Wood Mother and Baby Unit page

You can talk to a health professional to tell them you need our help and ask them to refer you to the perinatal mental health services.

We accept referrals from any professional, including your GP, midwife, obstetrician, health visitors, mental health workers or any other professional supporting you.

People aged over 18 years, registered with a GP or resident in the boroughs of Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Milton Keynes, Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster can be referred at any stage of the pregnancy.

Professionals can check our referral guidance on each of these pages:

• Brent and Harrow Perinatal Community Mental Health Team
• Hillingdon Perinatal Mental Health Service
• Kensington and Chelsea Perinatal Service
• Westminster Perinatal Mental Health Service
• Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Service
• Maternity Trauma and Loss Care Service (North West London) 
• Maternity Trauma and Loss Care Service (Milton Keynes) 
• Coombe Wood Mother and Baby Unit

Referrers will be notified with the outcome of the referral within 10 working days from receipt of referral.

People accepted for assessment will be offered an assessment appointment within 28 days of receipt of referral.

Following an assessment, people are allocated a case worker immediately who are able to start generic support and interventions tailored to the perinatal period.

For specialist interventions such as specific psychological intervention, the team aim to commence this within 28 days following assessment.