NHS Lothian provide specialist services to support women, birthing people and families who require additional help with their mental wellbeing during pregnancy, after the birth and during the early childhood years. This period is called the perinatal period.
This page explains what the services are and who they are for.
Talk to your GP, midwife, FNP nurse or health visitor if you feel unwell or are struggling as a family. They can give you advice and, with your agreement, they can refer you to the appropriate specialist service.
Community Perinatal Mental Health team
A service for women experiencing severe or complex perinatal mental illness, at risk of developing a perinatal mental illness or requiring pre-conception counselling related to mental health history. You may find it useful to read about the Scottish Perinatal Mental Health Care Pathways information on Community Perinatal Mental Health Teams.
Perinatal Mother and Baby Unit
Specialist mental health inpatient unit at St John’s Hospital for women with severe mental ill health during pregnancy or where women can be admitted with their baby in the first year after their birth. The Scottish Perinatal Mental Health Care Pathways website has more information about Mother and Baby Units in Scotland.
Maternity & Neonatal Psychological Interventions (MNPI)
Service for parents experiencing mental health distress affecting maternity care, arising from pregnancy and birth complications and loss, adjustments to pregnancy and childbirth and neonatal stays. The service also provides support for maternity and neonatal staff who care for these families. You can read more about MNPI teams throughout Scotland.
Lothian Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PAIRS)
Service for families where there are difficulties in the parent-infant relationship. Initial support is via consultation for Health Visitor, Family Nurse or Midwife followed by individual or group direct intervention where appropriate. Further information and useful resources can be found on the service website.
There is further information about PAIRS throughout Scotland.
Resources in other Languages
The charity Acacia have produced a series of short films in other languages:
Dr Zahera Kapasi Talks About Perinatal Mental Health in Gujarati – YouTube
Dr Anita talks about perinatal mental health in Urdu – YouTube
Amandeep Soomal talks about perinatal mental health in Punjabi – YouTube
Katarina Rigova talks about perinatal mental health in Slovak – YouTube
Faiza Rehman talks about perinatal mental health in Mirpuri – YouTube
Dr Anita talks about perinatal mental health in Dari – YouTube
For adult mental health support (not maternity specific)
If you feel you are struggling, it can be useful to talk to your GP about how you are feeling. You can find advice about talking to your GP about your mental health.
A ‘walk-in’ mental health information service –
The Mental Health Information Station is open for walk-in visits at the Walpole Hall, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AW (next to St Mary’s cathedral) every Thursday 10.30 am to 3.00 pm.
Visitors with mental health issues can drop in without an appointment and receive support and guidance on the day from mental health professionals.
Local services for adult mental health support (not maternity specific)
Midlothian – To arrange an appointment please call the team secretary on 07779 565607
East Lothian – Phone us on 0300 790 6292
West Lothian – All GP practices within the West Lothian area can signpost to our service. We have a Wellbeing Hub in Livingston and Boghall.
NHS Lothian’s mental health and wellbeing website information pages – Information and tools to help with your wellbeing and mental health.
Perinatal Mental Health Charities Directories
NHS Lothian work with some of the Perinatal Mental Health Support Charities listed in these directories
You can look for local organisations and how to access their support in the following directories:
Directory of perinatal mental health support in Lothian
Directories of perinatal mental health support by locality:
