With effect from 21st February 2025, the Specialist Health Visitors for Perinatal Mental Health service will not be taking on new parents or organisational referrals. ABSS funding for the service delivered by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) will be coming to an end on 30th June 2025.
The final Mindful Mums and Babies Group session will be on 31 st March 2025.
To learn more about ABSS programme changes beyond 31st March 2025, visit the Beyond ABSS webpage.
The Specialist Health Visitors for Perinatal Mental Health support families in Southend during the perinatal period, from pregnancy to your child’s second birthday. They work alongside the Health Visiting service across the City of Southend to provide assistance with emotional adjustment to parenthood and can support mental health concerns.
Families who use the current service will be contacted directly.
The service is signposting and supporting families currently using the service to other support services.
Other support is available, in addition to your Health Visitor, that can support you and your family. If you have concerns about your mental health or bonding with your baby, please contact any of the following:
Your GP
Therapy for You:
https://www.therapyforyou.co.uk/
Southend Family Centres:
https://www.southendfamilycentres.co.uk/
Together with Baby:
https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services/together-with-baby-essex-parent-infant-mental-health-service/
Parents 1st (for peer support): https://parents1st.org.uk/
NHS Maternity Services:
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/maternity-services/
Mental health support during and after pregnancy (Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System):
The following link to the Livewell Southend site also contains information on local community groups, advice and guidance for health and wellbeing:
THE Homepage – Livewell Southend
City Family Information and Guidance Service
If you have any questions or concerns around family services in Southend, please contact City Family’s Information and Guidance Service where their friendly Navigators will be able to assist you.
Opening hours:
Visit City Family’s Service Map to explore services available to families across the city of Southend.
Visit our Legacy Resource Packs page for useful resources, links, tips and downloads.