Service overview
We offer support and care if you’re a woman having moderate to severe mental health difficulties (now, or in the past) both during your pregnancy (antenatal), and up to 24 months after birth (postpartum).
Accessing our service
You need to be referred by your GP, Midwife, Health Visitor, or another healthcare professional.
Our service is open to all women aged 18 years and over, experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy and after birth.
Women who are already known to another community mental health team will remain with that service.
We can offer support if you’re under the age of 18 and receiving treatment with our CAMHS service.
Unfortunately we do not accept self-referrals.
Preparing for an assessment
Appointment call
We’ll arrange a brief video call with you, to understand your care needs.
If we think our service is right for you, we’ll book an assessment with you.
Appointments may take place at your home, at Resource House or remotely, whichever is most appropriate.
Care plan
We’ll create a care plan together with you, including therapeutic goals you want to work towards.
We’ll talk with you about your mental health and the impact it may have on your parenting, your emotions, your family and close relationships.
From this we’ll suggest treatment we think will help.
This could include psychiatric support, medication, psychological support including counselling and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), support following birth trauma psychological birth planning.
Managing your health
SHaRON
You may have access to our online peer support platform called SHaRON Moon, while you’re in the care of our service.
We’ll provide you with the details when you contact us for your first appointment.
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
Resource House
Perinatal Mental Health Service
Contact number: 0300 365 2000 Press option 5. Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Email: perinatal.mentalhealth@berkshire.nhs.uk
Post Address: RG40 2BB
Location detailsDo you prescribe medication?
Yes, we prescribe medication if it is appropriate.
Can I bring my partner to my appointments?
Yes, you may bring someone with you to your appointment, such as a friend or family member.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- telephone interpreting
- video remote interpreting (VRI)
- face‑to‑face interpreting
- written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- large print
- braille
- audio
- easy Read
- text message
- face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
Treating our team with respect.
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
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