Community Group of the Year nominee – Mothers Mind
Community Group of the Year nominee – Mothers Mind
A group of Staffordshire mums who have experienced postnatal depression have helped more than 300 other women with their maternal mental health.
Mothers Mind was founded by mum-of-four Sally Wilson from Meir Park so that other women could access the peer-led help she found lacking in the depths of her own postnatal depression.
Now in recovery for more than a decade she leads a group of 10 volunteers and three staff members who all have lived experience of maternal mental health struggles.
Support is offered online and in groups including a 16-week programme tailored to the needs of each participant.
Feedback gathered afterwards includes 100% of women saying they would recommend Mothers Mind and 89% of mums reporting reduced depression and anxiety as a result of the support received.
“We are breathing life into the mums,” said Sally. “We have mums who have been able to stop using medication and no longer need to access services as a result of the support we give them. We give them resilience and tools they can use.”
She has women telling her that they wouldn’t still be here without Mothers Mind, that it is a safe place for them and that they instantly felt they belonged.
“Having a safe, nurturing woman-focused space to heal after childbirth is the foundation of Mothers Mind Staffordshire, but most importantly we save lives,” said Sally.
“Mothers Mind Staffordshire is the only perinatal mental health charity in Staffordshire where healing starts in the fourth trimester. From the support all mums engage with clinical services, attend appointments and have a better understanding of their maternal mental health condition.
“We facilitate a stronger bond and attachment with their baby by using our specialised play therapist and develop a stronger sense of communicating needs and building a unique resilience to the women’s own journey of recovery by providing a variety of services to suit the women’s needs.”
Mothers Mind has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.