Release Counselling and Therapy for Women, is a UK registered charity (1192772), working to improve the mental health of women in Sussex, reduce isolation, and enable women to bring about changes in their lives. We specialise in maternal mental health, supporting mothers and their babies during the perinatal period, a key transition period in which many mothers experience vulnerable mental health.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have supported over 250 mums and their babies, many of whom have endured challenges to their mental health and wellbeing, as they embarked upon parenthood with limited access to perinatal support, friends or family due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Demand for our unique therapeutic groups for new mums has increased by 300% in the last year, and we operate a permanent waiting list for our services.
How has the pandemic impacted new mum’s mental health?
New research by the University of Alberta has shown that depression among expectant and new mothers has almost tripled during the pandemic. The study showed that the number of women reporting symptoms of post-natal depression has increased to 41 per cent compared to 15 per cent before the outbreak began. In addition, the number of women experiencing moderate to high anxiety symptoms has risen from 29 per cent to 72 per cent.
It is more important than ever before that we can provide extra groups to meet this demand in Brighton & Hove.
Release is passionate about supporting new mums towards better mental health. We know from our evaluation over the last five years, that the difference our therapy groups make includes: building resilience; decreasing isolation; nurturing wellbeing & support networks; developing confidence and parenting skills; improving mental health and facilitating peer-support.
The following stories give an insight of the impact that our therapy groups have had on mums:
“Thank you so much for putting this group together- it has been a life-saver.”
“I just want to say a huge thank you for running this course. I was in a really fragile state when I started, I had only recently admitted to myself that I was struggling with my mental health since having my daughter. This course has given me a safe space to acknowledge those feelings, to understand that other mothers maybe feeling the same despite outwards appearances. It’s given me the confidence to speak out and ask for additional help, that there is no shame in it, and reminded me that I still matter. It has been such a valuable experience I only wish I had heard of it sooner. I would recommend it in a heartbeat.”
“This course should be available to every new mum – there is nothing like it.”
“I don’t think I would be the mum I am now without this group. It almost saved me in those early days”
All funds raised will be used to run our unique 10-week therapeutic support groups for mums in Brighton & Hove, and more broadly in Sussex. It will allow us to meet the 300% increase in demand for our groups, for greater numbers of mums needing support.