Parents in Thurrock can access a specialist mental health service to help better understand how to support their baby.
As part of Infant Mental Health Week (9 to 15 June), Thurrock Council is raising awareness of some of the ongoing support and services that are available within Family Hubs across the borough.
Infant mental health describes the social and emotional wellbeing and development of children in the earliest years of life. Although children’s futures are not determined by the age of two, severe and persistent problems in early relationships and emotional development can have lifelong impacts on a range of future outcomes.
Parents and Carers met with health professionals from the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) at Ockendon Family Hub on Monday 9 June to learn more about how to support infants emotional wellbeing. As part of the day, a special handprint collage was created to show support for the "Who's Holding the Baby?" campaign.
Sally Perry, Parent Infant Therapist from EPUT, said: "I was really pleased to see so many parents and carers turn up to raise awareness of such an important cause. By supporting infants at an early age, we can help to give them the best possible start in life."
Early years and infant support can be accessed via discussions with a midwife, or through the weekly 'Time for you and baby too' support group which is hosted by Tilbury Family Hub, every Friday, from 10am to 11am.
No registration is required to join the group, which is for expectant parents, and parents with children up to the age of two years old.
To find out more, contact Tilbury Family Hub.
Across all Family Hubs, children can enjoy Stay and Play sessions, as well as storytimes, which gives them a chance to develop their social and language skills while playing with others.
To learn more about the range of activities available at Family Hubs, visit the Family Hub page.
Together with Baby is the Essex Parent Infant Mental Health Service. It is designed to help parents better understand their baby's emotional responses, as well as, how to strengthen the relationship with their child.
Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Community Safety, said: "Bringing a little one into the world is one of the most exciting prospects for a lot of people, but we also know that for a lot of parents, it can be a quite daunting feeling. It's normal not to have all the answers, or to feel pressure in immediately recognising what your child needs.
"We want to remind parents that they are not alone. Our Family Hubs offer a safe and welcoming space where they can come and ask for help or get advice on any worries they may be facing. I would really encourage anyone who feels like they need a helping hand to pop into their local hub or get in touch to find out what support is available."
A full list of the Family Hubs in Thurrock and how to register can be found on the Thurrock Council website.
