Tag: emotional wellbeing

NSPCC Scotland launches new service to support expectant parents’ emotional wellbeing

A new service to help expectant parents with their emotional wellbeing during pregnancy is being launched by NSPCC Scotland as the UK marks Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (May 4 to 10).

Pregnancy in Mind (PiM), which is being delivered by the charity in partnership with NHS Lothian, is an online group service that supports parents, who are expecting a baby, with complicated feelings that can arise during pregnancy.

It is designed to create a safe and reassuring space for parents in weeks 12-26 of pregnancy so they can reflect on any concerns, worries, or low mood they may be experiencing. 

PiM encourages them to reflect on their pregnancy as it progresses and their connection to their growing baby, encourages social support with other parents-to-be, and builds confidence for when their baby is born. 

The programme has eight online group sessions, usually delivered weekly (for 90-120 minutes), from the start of the second trimester (12 weeks) plus two one-to-one online post-birth sessions.

The service is delivered by practitioners who are experienced in creating a warm, safe and supportive space where expectant parents can build confidence, develop helpful ways of coping, and connect with others as they navigate pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of their new baby. 

The service brings together a range of evidence informed approaches, including mindfulness, relaxation, coping strategies, building confidence in understanding emotional wellbeing and developing supportive social connections.

Parents do not need to be experiencing severe symptoms to take part, the service is open to those who feel they would benefit from extra support during pregnancy. Introductions by health and social care workers to the service can be made at any point up to 26 weeks of pregnancy. The pregnant person, their partner, support person or the baby’s other parent can take part in the programme.

Jen Dixon, Team Manager at NSPCC Scotland, said: “Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us of the importance of emotional wellbeing during pregnancy.  

“When parents are finding things difficult, offering support to them as early as possible, can help them feel less alone as they prepare to meet their baby. 

“Often parents join Pregnancy in Mind feeling uncertain, isolated or overwhelmed. Through the sessions, they connect with other parents who are experiencing similar feelings. The programme supports them to develop ways to improve their own wellbeing, leading them to feel more hopeful, confident and less overwhelmed when their baby is born.  

“This supports their ability to create nurturing foundations and connections with their babies from the very beginning, including during pregnancy.”  

Alison MacDonald, Executive Nurse Director for NHS Lothian, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with the NSPCC to add this programme to the range of support available to expectant parents.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health and this service offers early, practical support to parents who need it most, helping them to give their babies and children the best possible start in life.” 

For further information about PiM contact NSPCC Scotland by email: 

scotland1@nspcc.org.uk

Children’s charity survey reveals emotional wellbeing is the priority when children return to school

  • Responding to a national survey by charity Children 1st, parents and carers say there should be a focus on children’s emotional wellbeing when they return to the classroom
  • Parents and carers also call for more support for children on returning to routines, catching up on lost learning and on rebuilding friendships
  • Chief Executive Mary Glasgow says the voices of parents, carers and children should be at the centre of plans on how best to support children when they return to school

Scottish parents and carers believe their child’s emotional wellbeing should be at the top of the curriculum when the schools re-open, according to a national survey run by charity Children 1st. Parents and carers said they wanted their children to have time to reconnect with their friends, to play and have fun.

The national survey, conducted over social media, found that most parents and carers think a carefully managed transition and emotional support will be key to helping their children cope with a return to the classroom. This is in line with what the charity is hearing from Children 1st Parentline and the parents and carers it works with through its community services.

Over half of parents and carers (57.3%) said they would like schools to reopen with a focus on considering children’s emotional needs as well as their academic ones. Parents and carers believe that supporting the emotional wellbeing of their children is as important as learning, according to the 1515 parents and carers from across Scotland who responded.

Those responding to the charity’s survey also said that the biggest challenges they have faced during lockdown are around balancing their work and children’s needs, and helping their children maintain relationships with friends and family. Returning to routines was the biggest concern about schools reopening, with over 60% of parents and carers citing it as a worry (see tables below for more details).

It comes after calls were made this week for Scottish school days to be extended and school holidays to reduce.

But Mary Glasgow, the charity’s Chief Executive, is calling on the Scottish Government and the Scottish education sector to listen to families by putting children and young people’s emotional and social wellbeing at the heart of Covid recovery, warning that children can’t learn effectively if they don’t feel emotionally safe and secure. 

Children 1st Chief Executive, Mary Glasgow.

She said: “With all the discussion of longer school days, less holidays and general focus on formal learning as opposed to the wider social and emotional needs of children, it felt like the voices of families and children were being lost in the debate.

“That’s why we directly asked families what they would need to recover from the pandemic so they can cope with a return to school – and they have told us that many children will need support with their emotional wellbeing when they return to school.

“As we move closer to schools fully reopening, I urge the Scottish Government and the Scottish Education sector to listen to the voices of these families who are telling us that children’s wellbeing and self-confidence must be at the heart of the school’s response to Covid recovery.”

“We know that this year has been hard for all of us, but with the right support in place parents and carers are telling us that children can overcome any negative effects of lockdown.”

One respondent to the survey said: “I want my children to feel safe and wellbeing has to be priority. One whole academic year has been lost from education, but I feel a slow approach to learning should be made, not a rush to catch up.”

Another told us “Let them have time to play, forge friendships and space to emotionally recover from the pandemic.”

Another parent / carer told Children 1st “We need to focus on wellbeing. The impact all of this uncertainty has had on children is immense, even if they aren’t necessarily outwardly upset.

“Catching up on missed education is so important but we need to recognise the level of disruption they have all been through and support them positively to transition back into yet another change of routine.”

Children’s 1st Parentline offers families free emotional, practical and financial support on 08000 28 22 33 or online at www.children1st.org.uk/help-for-families/parentline-scotland/