💚 Mental Health Awareness Week: A Gentle Guide for Mums Who Might Be Struggling 💚

12. Mai 2025

Being a mum is a beautiful thing—but let’s be honest, it can also feel heavy, relentless, and lonely sometimes. During Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to remind every parent reading this: your mental health matters too.

💭 “Am I just tired, or is it something more?”

Sleep deprivation, mum guilt, and the constant mental load of parenting can make it really hard to tell the difference between normal stress and the signs of a deeper struggle. But if you’ve been asking yourself this question, it's worth slowing down and listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you.

Some early signs of poor mental health in mums include:

Feeling numb or emotionally disconnected
Crying often or feeling on edge
Difficulty sleeping, even when baby is asleep
Persistent feelings of guilt or failure
Feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks
Irritability or sudden bursts of anger
A constant inner critic that won’t switch off

These signs don’t make you a bad parent. They make you human. And most importantly—they mean you deserve some support.

🧠 “What is maternal mental health and why is it important?”

Maternal mental health refers to the emotional wellbeing of women during pregnancy and the postnatal period. This includes conditions like postnatal depression (PND), postnatal anxiety, postpartum OCD, and birth trauma.

According to the NHS, as many as 1 in 5 women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth. It’s more common than we think—but not always talked about.

Your mental health affects everything from your ability to bond with your baby to how you feel about yourself as a parent. Looking after it isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.

🫶 “How can I take care of my mental health as a mum?”

Here are some simple, practical ways you can support your mental health as a parent:

Ask for help without guilt. Whether it’s a chat with a friend or asking your partner to take over for an hour, you don’t have to do everything alone.
Stay connected. Isolation can make everything feel worse. Join a local baby group or even an online community where you feel safe.
Sleep when you can. It’s a cliché, but sleep really does heal. Nap when possible and go to bed early when needed—don’t “push through.”
Move your body. A 10-minute walk or dancing in the kitchen can release feel-good chemicals that make a real difference.
Talk to your GP or health visitor. They are trained to spot the signs and can help you get the support you need—judgement-free.

🤱 “Is what I’m feeling postnatal depression or anxiety?”

This is a really common search term because postnatal mental health conditions can be hard to recognise. They don’t always look like “sadness.”

You might feel:

Constantly worried about your baby’s health
Scared that something bad will happen
Unable to relax, even when everything is fine
Like you’re faking your smiles for everyone around you

If this sounds familiar, please know there are treatment options, from counselling and therapy to safe medication. You do not have to suffer in silence.

🌈 “What are some everyday signs that my mental health needs attention?”

Even outside of the perinatal period, mental health warning signs can include:

Withdrawing from friends or things you usually enjoy
Struggling with concentration or decision-making
Feeling hopeless or unusually pessimistic
Changes in appetite or weight
Using food, alcohol, or screens to numb emotions

You don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to deserve help.

🧘♀️ “What are some self-care ideas that actually help?”

Here are some low-effort, high-impact self-care ideas for mums:

A hot cup of tea in your favourite mug, uninterrupted
Spritzing your favourite scent before bed
Writing one thought down in a journal each morning
A few deep breaths before starting the day
Using a calming playlist to ease the evening routine
Repeating a simple mantra like: “I am doing my best, and that is enough.”

Remember, self-care isn’t selfish. It’s survival.

💬 “What should I do if I think I’m not coping?”

If you feel like your thoughts or emotions are getting harder to manage, please talk to someone. Whether that’s your GP, a health visitor, a partner, or a friend—you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Here are some brilliant UK resources you can reach out to:

PANDAS Foundation – https://pandasfoundation.org.uk
Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk
Maternal Mental Health Alliance – https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org
NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency

Final thoughts from us at Gummee 💛

We’re here for the happy, silly, giggly moments—but we’re also here for the hard ones. If this blog resonates with you, share it with another mum who might need to hear it too.

Because no matter what your brain is telling you—you’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think. 💗