Did You Know? Understanding the Prevalence of Perinatal Mental Health and How Counselling Can Help

December 10, 2024

Did you know that perinatal mental health issues affect a significant number of individuals during pregnancy and after childbirth? According to research, around 15-20% of women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, such as postpartum depression and anxiety. Additionally, fathers and partners can also face mental health challenges during this period, with estimates suggesting that up to 10% of new fathers experience postpartum depression.

The Impact

Perinatal mental health disorders can have a profound impact on individuals and their families, affecting bonding with the baby, daily functioning, and overall well-being. However, it’s essential to know that help is available, and counselling can be a highly effective form of support.

What Works?

Counselling during the perinatal period provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and challenges. An experienced counsellor can help individuals understand their emotions, develop coping strategies, and learn valuable skills to manage stress, anxiety, or depression.

Through counselling, birth trauma, relationship changes, self-esteem concerns, and adjustment difficulties can also be addressed. Counselling sessions may involve various therapeutic approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness techniques, and psychoeducation tailored to the perinatal experience.

Moreover, counselling doesn’t just benefit individuals experiencing perinatal mental health issues but can also support partners and family members in understanding and navigating these challenges together. By fostering open communication and providing practical tools, counselling can strengthen relationships and promote a healthier family dynamic during this transformative time.

If you or someone you know is struggling with perinatal mental health concerns, reaching out to a qualified counsellor can make a significant difference. Remember, seeking help is a courageous step towards healing and well-being for both parents and their growing families.

If you would like support in the perinatal period, get in touch for more information on how counselling or EMDR can help. www.julieleetherapy.org

Get Help

The Power of Words: How Vocabulary Shapes Your Wellbeing

Have you ever stopped to consider the power of words? How the words you use – whether out loud or in your own head – shape the way you feel? The connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours is well-documented, but what often gets overlooked is how much our vocabulary influences this cycle.

Why Can’t I Say No?

For many of us, the thought of turning someone down feels unbearable. We worry about disappointing others, being seen as unkind, or even damaging our relationships. Questions like, Am I a bad friend, parent, sibling, or colleague if I don’t say yes? can plague our minds. But the reality is: constantly saying yes isn’t always the act of kindness we think it is – to others or ourselves.

Anxiety at Christmas?

Dear December: Why Are You So Stressful?
Not everyone looks forward to Christmas with open arms. For some, it’s a tough, lonely, or downright stressful time of year. If that’s you, you’re probably already feeling the pressure to “be merry,” “have fun,” and “make it magical.” Sound exhausting? You’re not alone.
For others, Christmas is a season of joy: twinkling lights, advent calendars, markets, the smell of pine trees and cinnamon, and cosy evenings with mulled wine and hot chocolate. But even for the Christmas enthusiasts, let’s be honest – December is usually way too busy.
So how can we all survive – and maybe even enjoy – this chaotic season? Here are some simple tips to make Christmas less stressful and a little more meaningful.

SAD: Finding Light in the Dark Months

At this time of year, many of us find ourselves searching for ways to manage Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD as it’s commonly known. When the clocks change and the dark mornings and evenings set in, it can feel like a real struggle to stay positive, energised, and connected to joy. For those affected by SAD, the six months of autumn and winter can feel like an endless waiting game – hoping for the light, both literal and metaphorical, to return.

Did You Know? Understanding the Prevalence of Perinatal Mental Health and How Counselling Can Help

The Impact

What Works?

Share:

More Posts

The Power of Words: How Vocabulary Shapes Your Wellbeing

Why Can’t I Say No?

Anxiety at Christmas?

SAD: Finding Light in the Dark Months

quick links

Contact Info