PREGNANT women, mothers and their families are to benefit from a new specialist service offering tailored mental health treatment.

Women who have lived through mental health problems, psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health nurses will work with midwives, health visitors and nursery nurses to support local women, babies and families to get help when they need it most.

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The new service will be offered in Oxfordshire through Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Natalie Mudge is now working as a peer support worker supporting women with Oxfordshire’s perinatal service at Oxford Health after experiencing mental health problems following the birth of her daughter Evie in 2016.

She said: “After I had my daughter I became very unwell with post-natal psychosis.

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“It took me six weeks to understand I was unwell, such was my state of mind.

"I didn’t think it would happen to me. Things in my head didn’t make sense.

“It’s been really great to meet other women going through similar things and be able to support them.”

Anyone concerned about their mental health during the perinatal period should speak to their GP, health visitor or alternatively contact TalkingSpace Plus on 01865 901222 or email talkingspaceplus@nhs.net