Coventry mum helping new parents after her own mental health struggles
Mum of two, Haley Moody, is urging people not to suffer in silence this World Mental Health Day
A Coventry mum is urging others not to suffer in silence after facing suffering with her own mental health during pregnancy.
Mum of two, Haley Moody, had up to five panic attacks a week but found support through NCT Parents in Mind, a charity supporting new and expectant mothers’ mental health in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Haley shared more on her personal mental health struggles: "During both my pregnancies I struggled with my mental health, especially during my second pregnancy and after the birth, it was tough.
"I had around 5 panic attacks a week for about four months, it was absolutely horrendous. I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't eating. I was just having like, panic attack and anxiety attack after each one.”
One of Haley's friends encouraged her to seek support through NCT Parents in Mind and now Haley works for the charity helping other parents going through similar mental health experiences.
Haley said: "“It's so fulfilling to sit and talk to women that are in pain and to be able to help them because you've been there and done it yourself.
"I think it can be a really scary journey becoming a parent and I don't think everyone's so lucky to have support around but here at Parents in Mind, we are a family.
"When a mum is having a bad day and they see another mum having a bad day, who are open about it, and it makes us feel better because it makes us feel normal.
"Unfortunately, social media portrays this image of people that are absolutely perfect and we're not. So, Parents in Mind is a non-judgmental and safe space where women can just be open and leave feeling better."
The NCT Parents in Mind project runs face-to-face groups in a number of locations across Coventry, as well as in Bedworth, Royal Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Rugby, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick, as well as remote support.
The charity not only helps parents experiencing low mood or anxiety but also acts as an early intervention that reduces the need for more intensive statutory services.
Alison Baker, who is the Perinatal Peer Support Service Regional Manager for Coventry and Warwickshire, said:
"At NCT we support thousands of parents every year. We know that many of them struggle with their mental health postnatally, as well as antenatally.
"This World Mental Health Day, we want to let mothers and birthing people know that we are here for them.
“Building trust starts with connection, and that looks different for every family. Some are keen to book that referral call to chat through where they are at and what they can access, others need that chat to be done via text.
"Some need a slow introduction, perhaps starting with a WhatsApp Live Chat where they don't have to say anything. Others are itching to get to meet others face-to-face but need moral support to get from the street by the venue into the room. However parents engage, we meet them there.”