Maternal Mental Health Scotland
  • For those affected
    • How can pregnancy affect my mental health?
    • What is postnatal depression?
    • Why is this happening to me?
    • How can I support her?
    • What is postpartum psychosis?
  • Getting help
    • What will happen if I need help?
    • If I need medical advice, who do I contact?
    • Who will be helping us?
    • What’s a Mother and Baby Unit like?
    • What if I have had mental health problems in the past?
    • Links to ongoing support for women, partners and families
  • Resources
    • FAQ
    • Multimedia resources
    • Guideline Reports
    • Reading List
    • About Us
  • News and Events
    • News
    • Christine’s tour
  • Everyone’s Business

Education and resources about perinatal mental health


Help give all of Scotland’s babies’ a Fair Start in life

by Clare Thompson • 15 April 2021

What?

NSPCC Scotland, supported by Children in Scotland, are hosting a virtual hustings on Monday, 26th April, 10-12 noon, focused on safeguarding and support in the early years.

The event will raise awareness of the distinct needs of babies and their families, as we emerge from the pandemic, with parliamentary candidates in advance of the Scottish elections.

The panel will include representatives from all of Scotland’s political parties, including the Minister for Children and Young People, Maree Todd.

We have also invited families, health visitors, midwives, social workers, early years staff, third sector partners, family nurse partnership teams and specialist perinatal and infant mental health services to raise issues from practice with political parties.

Why?

Babies need us to fight for them. They are a uniquely vulnerable group of children; they are completely dependent on adults for their care and protection, and cannot verbalise their needs or seek support.

Around 50, 000 babies will have been born in Scotland since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, born into a society of heightened anxiety and stress. While we might think infants will be too young to remember, we must not overlook the impact the pandemic will have had on them and their families.

There is extensive evidence showing early experiences have profound effects on lifelong development. Yet, last year in Scotland, around half of the children on the child protection register, and over a third of children coming into the care system, were younger than five years old.

The Promise has as a key foundation the provision of better and more responsive scaffolding for families. Despite a decade of policy frameworks which recognise the importance of the early years, of early intervention and prevention, the scale of ambition is not matched by the scale of investment.

We believe getting it right for families in the early years is the most efficient and cost-effective way to realise Scotland’s long-held aspirations around equality and prevention.

Following incorporation of the UNCRC, we want to hear how political parties will deliver a rights-based approach to budget setting and decision making to ensure early years services are holistic, preventative and integrated to better support families.

How?

Sign up to join this important event to give voice to the distinct needs and rights of babies with decision makers

Register on Eventbrite

We look forward to seeing you there😊

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Print

Related


Find information

Recent posts

  • Online Public Engagement Events in May – Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) capacity in Scotland
  • Peer Support Worker, Perinatal Mental Health, Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow (Job Advert)
  • The Need for a Mother & Baby Unit in the North East of Scotland
  • MMHS New Staff
  • Options to increase Mother & Baby Unit capacity – consultation now LIVE

External Resources

  • National Childbirth Trust
  • Bluebell PND Counselling Service
  • Association for Post Natal Illness
  • Mellow Parenting
  • Maternal Mental Health Alliance
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Royal College of Midwives
  • Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Donate to support us
Please donate to support our work.

We have created this site to provide you with information and resources. However, this site is not medical advice and is provided for your information only. Maternal Mental Health Scotland cannot provide medical or health advice through this web site.

If you need assistance, please speak with your GP or contact the resources available to you within your local health board.

Find who can help me in my community

Third sector web design by Idea15 Web Design
Maternal Mental Health Scotland is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. No: SC044891
Registered Office: Studio 1015, Mile End Mill, Abbeymill Business Centre, Seedhill Road, Paisley PA1 1 TJ Email
©2014-2017 Maternal Mental Health Scotland