A pioneering mother and baby group has been praised for creating a safe and joyful space for mothers experiencing perinatal mental health issues.
'Mothers in Harmony' is part of The Coombe Hospital's perinatal mental health clinic in Dublin. The perinatal period covers from pregnancy through to 12 months after birth.
The group brings together mothers struggling with a range of emotions and feelings after birth and gets them singing and bonding with their babies.
When Colette McEntee found out she was pregnant last year she remembers being anxious and feeling overwhelmed.
''I got referred to the perinatal mental health service within the Coombe and I started using certain parts of their service."
Colette was part of the pilot phase and described the weekly sessions as being a safe space for mothers.
''There's the added layer of being responsible for this little human and the prospect of that, and that sometimes felt quite overwhelming.
''It was also lovely to meet the other mothers and knowing that we all came through the perinatal mental health service.
"Because it's quite unspoken, and I'd be at fault of doing that myself, not talking about it very openly at times, but we all were kind of just chatting, and that was really lovely, and it was really safe.''
Weekly sessions a safe space for mothers - Colette McEntee
The HSE estimates that about 15,000 women in Ireland experience perinatal mental health issues each year.
According to the National Maternity Hospital, up to one in five women will experience a mental health problem in pregnancy or postpartum.
''It's a really vulnerable time for women because of a lot of hormonal, psychological, social changes,'' said Dr Chaitra Jairaj, a consultant psychiatrist and co-researcher of the project.
''This can predispose [women] to develpoing difficulties with their mental health. The common ones we see are depression and anxiety.
"But we also see other things like birth trauma and obsessive compulsive disorder.''
Feedback from the first round of Mothers in Harmony, found that depression scores among participants went down between the start and the end of the group.
''Well being, scores went up, and social support went up as well. So that means that the women in the group had a community together.
"They supported each other. They'd go for coffee after the group, and they stayed in touch after the group ended as well,'' Dr Jairaj said.
Group focuses on mom's voice - music therapist Laoise Fitzgerald
Laoise Fitzgerald is a music therapist who leads the class.
''In this group we are focusing on mom, on mom's voice,'' she said.
'We know that singing, singing in a group, reduces the stress hormone cortisol. We also know from the research that group singing increases the bonding hormone oxytocin.
"So in many ways, it may seem very simple, you know, to invite people to gather and sing for one hour a week, but actually it's founded on a wealth of knowledge that shows that really, this is really impactful, and we're facilitating the bonding here,'' she added.
Linda Engelberch and her five‑month‑old son Colter are part of the current group.
''It's just lovely'' Linda said, after the latest class ended.
''The love and care that is nurtured in the group has created a safe space that connects a lot of ladies,'' she said.
''I'm a very fast paced person so this is the spot that kinds of grounds us, calms us. I really connect with Colter. It has really connected us on another level.''
Doctors have advised any mothers who are struggling during the perinatal period to talk to their GP, midwife or their public health nurse.
''There is always support available and it's important to seek help.
"That's why this maternal mental health awareness week is helpful for increasing awareness about perinatal mental disorders and reduce stigma as well,'' said Dr Jairaj said.
