Resources

Kent and Medway NHS Helpline: 0800 783 9111

Kent and Medway Safe Havens: Free mental health support for anyone aged 18+ living in Kent and Medway. The havens are there to offer mental health and crisis support in a welcoming, comfortable, non-judgmental, and non-clinical environment.

Drop-in service (no referral or appointment required). Support is available every day, 365 days a year. www.mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-havens

Kent and Medway Talking Therapies: free, confidential mental health support for adults aged 17.5 and over who are registered with a local GP.  

https://kmtalkingtherapies.co.uk/

Samaritans: 24/7 confidential emotional support via a free national helpline. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Qwell: Free digital mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK. No referral needed, just join the chat queue when you are ready to chat. Drop-in or pre-booked sessions available.

https://www.qwell.io

The Good Grief Trust (bereavement support): a UK charity run "by the bereaved, for the bereaved," ensuring support provided is rooted in personal experience. https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/

Belly Breathing: A great way to calm the body and mind and relieve stress. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ep5mKuRmAA

Mindfulness exercises: Guided exercises from the NHS that could help you live more in the present moment 

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/what-is-mindfulness/

Progressive muscle relaxation: a technique that involves tensing and releasing specific muscle groups to physically reduce stress and promote deep relaxation.  

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/breathing-and-relaxation-exercises/progressive-muscle-relaxation/

NHS: Every Mind Matters - practical wellbeing tips from the NHS 

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Kent Mental Health Helpline for parents-to-be and parents of new babies:

Available here.

Family Action: Offer a free helpline for families (Monday-Friday 9-7pm). Or text FAMILYACTION to 85258, to access the free 24/7 crisis support service.  

https://family-action.org.uk/get-support/familyline/

PANDAS Foundation: Leading UK charity in supporting families suffering from prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal illnesses. Free support via phone, WhatsApp, Email or by joining support groups.
https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/

Singing Mamas: Informal singing group to support mums and improve mental health.

https://www.singingmamas.org/find-a-group

Maternal Journal: A global community movement that uses creative journaling to boost wellbeing in pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
https://maternaljournal.org

Thrive Psychological support for Trauma and Loss: Supports people who have previously had therapy for perinatal trauma and/or loss but are still experiencing PTSD symptoms.  

https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk/thrive

Make Birth Better: (Birth trauma support)

http://makebirthbetter.org

Maternal Mental Health Alliance: Offers wellbeing tips and a mental health symptom checker https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/

Kent County Council family hub free courses: Learn about your baby's health, wellbeing and development as well as ways to cope with crying. 

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/kent-family-hub/activities-courses-and-groups-near-you/courses-available-in-family-hubs

ICON: Focuses on coping with crying and preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome. 

https://iconcope.org/

EasyPeasy App: Free premium access for all Kent residents (via KCC partnership) for play and development. Just add in your postcode on registration
Available here

Baby Buddy App: NHS-accredited daily guide for the transition to parenthood.
Available here

Mind: Guidance about how partners can experience postnatal depression

Available here

DADpad: A £12 downloadable guide for new dads, developed in partnership with the NHS, alongside other resources.

http://thedadpad.co.uk

PinkParents: Support for gay and lesbian parents

http://pinkparents.org.uk

Dadspace. Offer free in-person events including walk and talks for dads throughout Kent and Medway.

Provide a safe space for dads to talk, listen and share their experiences of fatherhood across the country.

http://dadspace.co.uk

Path Perinatal: Support information for young dads
https://path-perinatal.eu/uk/waf/young-dads/

Dads and Lads Network: (Bereaved fathers) Men’s support network set up in 2020 specifically for bereaved fathers.

https://nine4norah.co.uk/dads-lads-network

Gingerbread (single parents): Gingerbread groups are a safe space for single parents to share the highs and lows of parenting or just to have a cuppa and a chat while your children play. 
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/

PinkParents: Support for gay and lesbian parents

http://pinkparents.org.uk

New Family Social: support and resources for LGBTQIA+, adoptive and foster families

https://newfamilysocial.org.uk/

Bliss: Has a dedicated webpage for LGBTQIA+ birthing or non-birthing parents of premature or sick babies and useful signposting to support groups

https://www.bliss.org.uk/parents/support/support-for-lgbt-families

LGBT Mummies: A global support network for LGBTQ+ women and people through specialized support groups, advocacy, and comprehensive resources tailored to the unique mental health and family-building challenges of the perinatal journey 

https://lgbtmummies.com/