Parental and Infant Mental Health in Moray​
Exploring what works well to support mums and dads from pregnancy through the first few years of their child’s life, this project aimed to boost the mental health of those involved and create learning to help improve the services of the future in Moray.
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Focusing on the support parents can give one another, this year-long project has seen events, groups and surveys hosted by Moray Wellbeing Hub CIC with partners Children 1st and Moray College UHI. Fronting the activity has been a group of parents supported with training and mentoring to lead the project as peer-researchers. They have heard the voices of experience, including some of those seldom heard.
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Parents initiated the project as part of a group of Champions, members of the social movement for change hosted by Moray Wellbeing Hub.
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“When I had a mental illness, I felt fearful that I was letting my child down when they were born. I wanted to know things would be ok. I was terrified, and professionals could not do everything to reassure me. I wish I had the right peer-support then as I have now through being a Champion and parents groups. It can be better, and I think we can do it together.”
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Mental health challenges in pregnancy and while caring for infants can be stigmatised, both for mothers and fathers, which can stop people from getting the help they need to get better. This not only affects parents but also their infants and their wider family. Peer-support, where those who have experienced similar challenges support others, is successful for many people in improving their sense of connection, hope and empowerment.
