A SPECIALIST NHS mental health service across mid and south Essex is now offering support to more women and parents who have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has extended the time people can access its 'EPUT By Your Side' service, from one year after a loss, to two years.

The service supports women and birthing parents who are struggling with their mental health after experiences such as miscarriage, repeated miscarriage, stillbirth, termination, or the death of a new born baby up to 28 days postnatal.

The change means more people will be able to get specialist therapeutic care, grief therapy and emotional support, recognising that grief and mental health difficulties can continue or appear long after the loss.

The service brings together mental health specialists, maternal mental health midwives, and other support organisations across Essex to provide joined-up care.

At the closure of Mental Health Awareness Week tiday (Sunbday, 17 May), Stephanie Lambert, Principal Practitioner Psychologist and Clinical Lead for EPUT By Your Side, said:

"We know that the emotional impact of perinatal loss does not follow a fixed timeline. For many, the intensity of grief and associated mental health difficulties can persist or even emerge well beyond the first year. By extending our referral window to two years, we are acknowledging this reality and ensuring more people can access compassionate, specialist support when they are ready to seek help. Our aim is to be alongside individuals during one of the most difficult experiences they may face, offering understanding, therapeutic care, and hope."

Referrals can be made by healthcare professionals including GPs, midwives, health visitors, social workers, and mental health staff.

Parents who are struggling with their mental health during or after pregnancy, but who have not experienced baby loss, can still access support through other specialist perinatal mental health services offered by EPUT. Urgent mental health support is also available through NHS 111 and relevant charities.

A sdpokesperson said: "The expansion of EPUT By Your Side reflects the Trust's focus on providing personalised, inclusive mental health support and improving access to trauma-informed care closer to home.

"Delivered in partnership with maternity teams, mental health services and voluntary sector organisations across Essex, the service also demonstrates EPUT's wider commitment to joined-up community care, prevention, and working collaboratively across the health and care system to improve outcomes for local people."