A MATERNAL mental health service provided by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has expanded to support more people across Essex.
By Your Side, provided in collaboration with midwifery colleagues, offers therapeutic care and grief therapy for women and birthing parents who have experienced a perinatal loss.
The service launched across south west Essex during Baby Loss Awareness Week last October and from Monday 8 January has expanded to support patients registered with GPs in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point in south east Essex.
By Your Side is the first specialist psychological and therapeutic service for perinatal loss in Essex. It supports women who have experienced a miscarriage at any stage of their pregnancy, still birth, neonatal death or planned termination, and have been significantly affected by the loss.
Stephanie Lambert, Principal Practitioner Psychologist and Clinical Lead at EPUT, said: “I am delighted that By Your Side is expanding to support women and birthing parents across south east Essex.
“Every women’s journey and the way they experience loss is unique, and every baby’s life is too precious to forget. By Your Side offers compassionate care, helping women feel less isolated by their experience and able to explore their emotions in a supportive environment.”
Natural responses to loss can include grief, pain, sadness, loneliness, anger, guilt, helplessness, self-blaming, mood swings and low mood. However, if these symptoms persist, worsen or start to impact day-to-day life, By Your Side can help.
By Your Side can currently support patients aged 18 and over living in Basildon, Brentwood, Thurrock, Southend, Castle Point and Rochford. It is hoped the service will become countywide by April this year.
The service offers a mix of video consultations, telephone appointments, face-to-face assessments and treatment in perinatal hubs and home visits based on the patient’s needs.
Members of the public who feel they would benefit from a referral should speak to their midwife, GP, health visitor, social worker, mental health service or support charity.
To find out more about the service and other support available for family members and loved ones, please visit eput.nhs.uk/byyourside
