Minister finds out more about mental health support for parents
21 November 2024
Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing visited Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Psychological Wellbeing Centre in Carmarthen today, Thursday, 21 November.
During her visit she found out more about the joint pathways and psychological therapy and support offered for parents and their babies from the Perinatal Mental Health Service in collaboration with staff from the Neurodiversity Services.
Ms Murphy took part in a ‘Recovery Through Activity’ session and is pictured here with mum Gemma Buffrey from Llanelli and her 14-month-old son Kobyn who has benefitted from the service.
Also photographed from left are Eleanor Marks, Health Board Vice Chair; Dr Nicola Peeke; Emily Dwyer, Team Lead, Integrated Autism Service; Angela Lodwick, Assistant Director, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities; Rebecca Temple-Purcell, Assistant Director of Nursing; Jane Whalley, Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service Manager; Catherine Vaughan, Service Delivery Manager, Neurodevelopmental Services ; Diane Lewis, Specialist Occupational Therapist, Perinatal and Infant Mental Health and Lisa Davies, Perinatal Specialist Health Visitor.
Angela Lodwick said: “We were delighted to welcome Sarah today and to give her an opportunity to find out more about some of the amazing collaborative and innovative work within our Perinatal mental health and Neurodivergence services. Our team were able to give her some insight into the work we do, and she stated she was really impressed with the support that we offer here.
“She also had the chance to chat with some of the mums here on the day who regularly use our services and to hear how it has helped them.”
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: “I was pleased to meet staff, mothers and babies at the Mental Health Perinatal Service this morning. It was an opportunity to hear how services are working together to support new mothers when they feel most vulnerable. I was encouraged to hear the feedback from the women – one mother told me she wouldn’t be where she is today without the service.”
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