Help and support is available right now if you need it. You don't have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. Here are all the helplines available, whatever your problem.
Mum support:
The Association For Postnatal Illness
Provides support for mums suffering from postnatal illness. Volunteers have experienced and recovered from postnatal illness. Call 0207 386 0868, 10am-2pm Mon-Fri, or use the online chat box at apni.org
PANDAS Foundation
Provides support and advice for any parent experiencing perinatal mental illness. Call 0843 2898 401, 9am-8pm daily, or see pandasfoundation.org.uk
APP (Action on Postpartum Psychosis)
Offers a peer support network online, including one-to-one support, at app-network.org.
Birth Trauma Association
Supports women who have had a traumatic birth experience and offers emotional and practical support to those suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, and their families. It has a Facebook support group. For more info, see birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Maternal OCD
A charity that provides information and support to mums experiencing perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For peer support email info@maternalocd.org or see maternalocd.org for a list of further resources.
Non-mum specific organisations:
Mind
Provides advice and information to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Call Mindinfoline on 0300 123 3393, 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, email info@mind.org.uk or see mind.org.uk
No Panic
Provides step-by-step programmes and support for those with anxiety disorders. Call 0844 967 4848, 10am–10pm daily, or receive email support at sarah@nopanic.org.uk. See nopanic.org.uk
Samaritans
Offers emotional support if you’re feeling distressed or despair. Call 116 123 24 hours, daily, or see samaritans.org.
Family support organisations:
Family Action
Provides services for families experiencing poverty or social isolation, including mental health support. Its National Parent Support Service helps those struggling with the challenges of parenthood and can help you find out about the services available: call 0808 802 0222, Mon-Fri 6pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-1pm, or email : NDPSS@family-action.org.uk or see family-action.org.uk
Family Lives
Offers information and support in all aspects of family life. Call 0808 800 2222 9am-9pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat-Sun or email askus@familylives.org.uk. See familylives.org.uk – the website has advice on baby sleeping, eating and health.
Home-Start
A family support charity that helps families with young children deal with the challenges they face, such as money issues, mental health, isolation and illness. Runs a local support network – find yours at home-start.org.uk
Gingerbread
Provides advice, information and practical support for single parents – from dealing with a break-up to going back to work or organising financial issues. Helpline is 0808 802 0925, 10am-6pm Mon, 10am-4pm Tu, Thu & Fri, 10am-1pm & 5pm-7pm Wed. See www.gingerbread.org.uk
Relate
Offers counselling and workshops on relationships and family issues. Book a counselling appointment on 0300 003 0396, 8am-10pm Mon-Thu, 8am-6pm Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, or have a live online chat at relate.org.uk.
Feeding:
UK National Breastfeeding Helpline
Run by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, volunteers on the end of the line are mums who have breastfed and have been trained in giving breastfeeding support. Call 0300 100 0212, 9.30am-9.30pm daily. Live online service also available at nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk
La Leche League
Offers breastfeeding support and information. Look online at laleche.org.uk/get-support for your local helpline. If not available, call the national line on 0345 1202918
National Childbirth Trust
The NCT gives practical and emotional support with bottle feeding or breastfeeding your baby, and can help with any concerns or questions. Call 0300 330 0700, daily, 8am-midnight, or see nct.org.uk.
Sleep:
Cry-sis
Offers advice and information on how to cope with a sleepless and/or crying baby. Call 08451 228 669, 9am-10pm daily. Or see cry-sis.org.uk
Premature birth:
Bliss
Provides support for parents of babies born premature or sick. Call 0808 801 0322, Mon-Fri 1am-12pm and Mon-Wed 7pm-9pm. Or see bliss.org.uk
Work:
Maternity Action
Offers advice for mums and dads regarding their rights at work and to benefits and healthcare. Call 0808 802 0029 or visit maternityaction.org.uk
Multiples:
Twins and Multiple Births Association
TAMBA runs Twinline, staffed by parents of multiples, to listen and offer support, on concerns including feeding, sleeping or managing the day to day. Call 0800 138 0509, 10am-1pm, 7pm-10pm daily, or email tambabreastfeeding@gmail.com, or visit tamba.org.uk.
