Opening times
- Monday - Friday : 9:00 am - 5:00 am
South West Yorkshire Perinatal Mental Health Team
You are not alone. Asking for help is a positive step, and you’ll be treated with kindness, compassion and without judgement.
The Perinatal Mental Health Team provides specialist support for women experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy and up to two years after birth. The team also offers advice for women planning a pregnancy who have concerns about their mental health.
The service provides compassionate, non-judgemental support for you and your family during this important time.
Age range
- Pregnant women and women with children up to 2 years old.
- Adults aged 18 and over experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties.
- Young people under 18 may be accepted if they are also receiving support from CAMHS.
Key support offer
- Mental health assessment and specialist treatment.
- Psychological therapies and emotional support.
- Advice about mental health medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Support to strengthen the bond between you and your baby.
- Support for partners, families and carers.
- Pregnancy planning advice for women with existing mental health concerns.
- Group sessions and wellbeing support.
| Category | Notes | Yes / No |
| Self Help | including guided self-help e.g. recovery college. | yes |
| Community Based | GP practices, primary care team, live well social prescribing, Voluntary and community sector support. | yes |
| Professional Referral | further info about local clinical teams, accessed by professional referral (SPA, info on CORE AND ENHANCED, IHBT MH Teams). | yes |
Website & Links
- https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/services/perinatal-mental-health-team/
Accessibility information for service
- Home visits are available where needed.
- Appointments can take place online, in community settings or at home.
- Interpreter and British Sign Language services are available.
- Community clinics are accessible for people with mobility needs.
Waiting times & timescales
- If your referral is accepted, the team aims to contact you within 14 days.
- If you’re planning a pregnancy, you’ll usually be offered an appointment within 28 days.
- Urgent referrals are prioritised.
How to access - self or professional referral
We accept self and professional referral.
Accessment process
Member of our admin team will contact women by phone to arrange an initial appointment with one of our Senior Perinatal Practitioners. This appointment usually takes place over MS Teams but can be arranged in a community venue or someone’s home if there is need for this. At this appointment they will ask about how someone’s mental health is affecting them, about their pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience, previous history of mental health issues and previous support they have accessed. They will discuss together what support the person feels will be most helpful to them.
Key partners
The team works closely with maternity services, health visitors, children’s services, other mental health teams and the Yorkshire & Humber Mother and Baby Unit to provide joined-up care.
Signposting to services that can offer support if this service can't
The team can help you access other appropriate support, including Turning Point Talking Therapies, the Wakefield PAIRS Team and other local services.
