Charity 'terrified' closure could leave mums suicidal

ByMegan Paterson

in Carlisle

A charity has said it is "terrified" new mums suffering from suicidal thoughts will be left with nowhere to turn if its group sessions end due to funding pressures.

The Happy Mums Foundation, which supports women experiencing postpartum mental health challenges, was set up in 2015 and has helped more than 1,000 families across Cumbria.

Charity director Lucinda Bray fears the loss of the in-person "safe place" could worsen the mental health of vulnerable women in the county.

Women who have attended the sessions say the charity, which would move online only, offers "no judgement" peer support and helps mums feel less isolated when experiencing trauma.

Bray said: "I'm terrified, if we don't have in-person groups for mums, where will they go? What will they do?

"Being able to talk about suicidal thinking, is actually quite a good preventative factor, if that doesn't have an outlet and you don't have a safe space to talk about those things, where might they go?"

First-time mum Amy described motherhood as "absolutely wonderful" but admitted it could be stressful and overwhelming at times.

"The long nights, the crying and not knowing what it is they want, you've just been handed a tiny human being and you're meant to just know what to do and having the expectations of mum knows best.

"I didn't have a clue and I think a lot of mums are in the same boat."

At first Amy found it difficult to leave the house with her daughter who was born prematurely.

Now, she attends the charity's teen to 25 group, which has helped her build confidence.

"Obviously everyone absolutely adores the babies here but it's called Happy Mums for a reason," she said.

"There's plenty of support out there for babies, but it's nice to have something that is more about the mums."

Amy said without the support of the group she would struggle more to get out and about.

"When I'm feeling low with my depression or anxiety and more anxious about going out I know that I can come to Happy Mums, I look forward to it," she said.

"Without it I'd struggle more with speaking to people and asking for the help."

The Happy Mums Foundation had previously received funding from Comic Relief, The National Lottery, The Cumbria Foundation and the NHS.

The group says over the last year funding for preventative mental health services has become increasingly difficult to secure.

Bray said the 13 weekly support groups have already been reduced to five, and without investment the charity will be forced to move groups online or close completely.

Growing financial pressures across the charities sector has been evident in recent months, including the closure of suicide prevention charity Papyrus in September.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations' chief influencing officer Leigh Brimicombe said the current financial climate was "tough" for charity organisations.

He said the cost of living crisis meant there was a "growing need for support in communities but also less money available for donors or funders to give, compounded by increased running costs for charities themselves".

Labour MP for Penrith and Solway, Markus Campbell-Savours, sent a letter of concern about the future of foundation to the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust.

In reply, chief executive James Duncan said "peer-led and community-based support can form a valuable part of the wider network for support available to women and families".

He added although formal joint working with the NHS was not possible due to the distinction between peer-led and clinical services, the potential closure was "particularly concerning given the relatively limited number of voluntary and community sector organisations providing this type of support across Cumbria".

The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.

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