On Wednesday 23rd November over 40 people gathered together, at Moray College UHI in Elgin, to hear the results of a year long project which focused on Parental and Infant mental health and the support parents can give one another through peer activities.
The project, led by Moray Wellbeing Hub and partnered with Children 1st and the University of the Highlands and Islands, trained five parents from Moray with young children under three, who had lived/living experience of mental health challenges, to become peer researchers. They were supported to collect and analyse information about parent and infant mental health and how this could be supported through peer activities.
This research, combined with a literature review and best practice on peer support for perinatal mental health in Scotland, has been fed into a report; producing recommendations on what successful perinatal peer support in Moray might look like.
The event brought together partner organisations, parents and those working with parents and infants with lived experience of mental health to hear findings, discuss outcomes and share reflections on the report, as well as learning the next steps for the project and to invite further interest.
Watch the video about peer research and read the report launched at the event here on moraywellbeinghub.org.uk/projects
An attendee commented “the report was really insightful, it brought to my attention the great need for this type of support and how empowering parents to make connections in their local community can make such a positive difference. It was also really inspiring to see so many people engaged in positive discussion about parental and infant mental health.”
Another attendee commented there are “lots of people talking about peer support after today.”
Research found that almost 80% of survey respondents felt there was limited or no parental and infant mental health support in Moray currently, yet around 73% reported experiencing mental wellbeing challenges during pregnancy or at other times.
Findings in the report have suggested there is a need for more parental and infant mental health support in Moray and that this could come through peer-led activities that offer in-person, drop-in support that allows for attendance with a child and is tailored to the mental health needs of Moray parents.
The project is funded by a grant from The Ideas Fund, which is funded by the Wellcome Trust and delivered by the British Science Association with coordination locally by Science Ceilidh. The Fund enables the UK public to think about, develop and test new ideas related to areas of mental wellbeing that are relevant to them. This is one of a number of research projects running in 2022 where lived experience is leading understanding of what works well for Moray and Highland people.
For all other enquiries please contact Moray Wellbeing hub hello@moraywellbeinghub.org.uk 01343 576219
