Raising Rafael
A new six-week ‘Nurture’ programme supporting new mums and their mental health was just the lifeline Lilia Moutinho and her son Rafael needed.
Lilia Moutinho, a 30-year old mum-of-one from Maidstone, wanted to find ways to manage feelings of anxiety when her son Rafael was born in February.
Lilia, a nursery worker, said: “I can be quite nervous speaking to new people so was worried about going to baby groups. I’ve struggled in the past managing my emotions and can get upset quite easily.”
The Nurture programme offers support to anyone who’s given birth in the past year who feels they are struggling with their mental health.
The group is run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Health Visiting Team and Talking Therapies, a free and confidential NHS service offering mental health support to anyone over the age of 17-and-a-half in Kent and Medway.
Nicola Miller, the Perinatal Mental Health Lead Health Visitor in west Kent who led the first group at the Parkwood Family Hub said: “A new child often means disrupted sleep patterns, irregular routines and new priorities – three things which can leave parents feeling stressed, anxious and low.
“This might mean parents struggle to find the motivation to shower or meet with friends outside the house. As a result, that person’s mood can suffer, adding to the difficulty of completing the activities.”
The team used cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques – talking therapy that can help manage problems by changing the way people think and behave – to support parents when they were finding things tough.
Nicola said: “We empower parents, giving them the tools to manage their own wellbeing. One CBT technique we talk about is behavioural activation, a powerful exercise that can help break this cycle by making small behavioural changes to help manage feelings and mood.
“The group was also a safe place for clients to talk together about parenting and issues they faced during pregnancy and birth.
“Everyone attended said their mood and feelings had improved after the six-week course.”
Lilia said: “The group has definitely helped me. We looked at different scenarios and how to handle that situation. I’ve learnt a lot and pushed myself to make sure we get out of the house. I might have sat at home otherwise, which wouldn’t have helped me or Rafael.”
Lilia and Rafael are now regulars at baby rhyme time and baby sensory classes and have signed up for swimming and baby massage classes too. Lilia said: “We’re quite busy. I’ve also stayed in touch with someone from the Nurture group, which is really nice to be able to speak to someone going through the same experiences as me with a new baby.”
Nicola said: “As a professional, there is nothing better than seeing parents make the best of life for them and their children. It’s been a pleasure to lead this fantastic pilot and I feel so proud of all our clients for working hard to give their families the best start.”
Plans to offer the programme in other areas of Kent are underway and an online webinar will also be made available for families.
Find out more about the programme and other support for parents of under-fives at the Kent Baby website.
