Becoming a Dad can be a rewarding, exciting and challenging time. It’s not unusual to experience a range of emotions which can impact on how we think and feel.
There are lots of things which can be useful to help support wellbeing. Your health visitor will signpost you to appropriate services.
Below is a list of local support groups, websites, helplines and apps.
Local support groups
Smile Group
- Peer support groups – one-to-one support, walks, home visits (by referral only)
- Counselling- offered face-to-face, via phone or virtual
- Family social sessions (monthly)
For more information visit the Smile Group website or email: hello@smilegroup.org.uk
Motherwell (Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach, Alsager, Middlewich)
Support includes:
- Counselling
- Wellbeing programmes
- New Life and Me Group for parents of children up to 2 years
For more information visit the Motherwell website.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies: (IAPT) All parents are prioritised until their child’s second birthday, self-referral accepted.
The Wellbeing Hub – psychological therapies 16+, can offer individual, group CBT, counselling.
For more information call: 01606 555260 (Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 8.00pm) – Crewe, Sandbach, Alsager, Middlewich and Nantwich areas only.
My Talking Therapies
Big Life – a range of talking therapies for people 16years+ – Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Knutsford, Poynton, Congleton and Holmes Chapel areas only. (People must be registered with an Cheshire East GP).
For more information call: 01625 469 950
Organisations and helplines
Dads Matter – providing support for dads worried about suffering from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
Mentell – providing a space to talk for men
CWP Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7) – Call 0800 145 6485
Samaritans – Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org
Shout! – text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 Free 24/7 mental health support
Papyrus – helpline for under 35s who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. Call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Just Drop In – counselling and wellbeing service for young people aged 12 – 25. Call 01625 665079, text 07718425405, or email hello@justdropin.co.uk www.justdropin.co.uk (Macclesfield and surrounding areas only).
Useful websites
Fatherhood Institute – support, research and working with public service employers to help them see and respect fathers.
Mind – support and advice for anyone experiencing a mental health issue
NHS – information on all mental health difficulties
Mood Cafe – common mental health difficulties
Mental Health Organsiation – information, research and resources
Action for Happiness – ways to improve mood
Psychology Tools – self-help materials and CBT worksheets
Doc Ready – preparing for a mental health appointment
Get Self Help – range of self-help materials for many mental health difficulties
Stonewall – information and advice for LGBTQ+ people on a range of issues
Samaritans – Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. The team is here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
No more Suicide website – Support, resources, and commissioned services available in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Safety Plan website – Creating a safety plan is a useful way to write down listed 24/7 support services, coping strategies and emergency contacts.
Useful videos
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership – YouTube channel
Useful digital apps
Dadpad – is a great free app, developed in partnership with the NHS, with information and advice for dads.
Tiny Happy People – New Dads guide to good mental health: https://bit.ly/3IP3a3t
Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
Calm: https://www.calm.com – Mindfulness and meditation techniques
Sleepio: www.sleepio.com – An online sleep improvement programme
Samaritans: https://selfhelp.samaritans.org – Self-help app
Other apps are listed in the resource centre on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services website
