Perinatal Mental Health Team: Free NHS Mental Health Service for Women in Croydon

## What is the Perinatal Mental Health Team? The Perinatal Mental Health Team provides specialist NHS care for women during pregnancy and up to one year after birth. The service covers the full range of mental health conditions including depression (including postnatal depression), anxiety disorders such as tokophobia (fear of childbirth), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress (including birth trauma), psychosis (including postpartum psychosis), and personality disorder. The team is part of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Research suggests only one in two women with postnatal depression are recognised, and one in eight receive adequate treatment, making early referral crucial for mothers and babies. ## Who Can Use the Perinatal Mental Health Team? The service is for women registered with a Croydon GP who are pregnant or up to one year postnatal. Women can also be referred for preconception counselling if they have a history of mental health difficulties and are planning a pregnancy. Even if you're already under the care of a community mental health team, you can still be referred - the Perinatal Team will work jointly with your existing team. The service supports women with any mental health concern related to pregnancy or the postnatal period. ## How Do I Access the Perinatal Mental Health Team? Referrals can be made by GPs, midwives, health visitors, or other healthcare professionals via the Perinatal Referral form. Ask your midwife or GP to refer you if you're struggling with your mental health during or after pregnancy. You can also call **020 3228 0304** for advice or to discuss whether a referral is appropriate. ## What Should I Expect? The service provides specialist medical, nursing, psychological, and social care across four community pathways. Clinical therapies include CBT, family therapy, and video interaction guidance (VIG) to support the mother-infant relationship. Pre-birth perinatal mental health plans are developed between 28-32 weeks of pregnancy. For women requiring inpatient care, the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) at Bethlem Royal Hospital provides 13 bedrooms, allowing mothers to remain with their babies while receiving treatment.