As part of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (4–10 May), women share their experiences of accessing specialist perinatal mental health support in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

This podcast features women with lived experience and clinicians discussing the impact of early, tailored support during pregnancy and in the first year after birth. Perinatal mental health difficulties are common, and reaching out for support can make a real difference for mothers and families.

The Southern Trust provides specialist support for women with moderate to severe perinatal mental health needs through a dedicated multidisciplinary team. A key part of the service is the specialist antenatal mental health clinic at Craigavon, which offers longer appointments and continuity of care.

Referrals can be made through your midwife, GP or health visitor.

In this special Southpod episode for World Social Work Day 2026, we explore this year’s global theme: “Co-Building Hope and Harmony – A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.”

Social workers play a vital role in supporting individuals, families and communities through some of life’s most challenging moments. In this conversation, colleagues from across our services reflect on what it means to build hope in everyday practice — from working in GP surgeries and integrated care teams to supporting people during times of crisis and recovery.

We also hear directly from Hayley, a service user, who shares how the support of her social work team helped her rebuild independence following major surgery, highlighting the power of relationships, compassion and small acts of support.

Together, these voices show how hope is not just a concept, but something that is created through partnership, understanding and community.

Join us as we recognise the impact of social work and the importance of working together to support healthier, more connected communities.

In this episode we're joined by the Southern Trust Nutritional Standards Coordinator Dorota Culbert and Public Health Dietitian Collette O'Brien as they discuss the introduction of the HSC Nutritional Standards across facilities in the organisation.

They explore what the standards mean in practice, how they support healthier choices for staff and visitors and the challenges and successes of putting them into action.

Whether you are staff or involved in catering, or just curious about improving nutrition for staff or visitors in healthcare settings, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating a healthier food environment across the Trust.

More information on the Public Health Dietitians YouTube channel

https://youtube.com/@publichealthdietitians9636?si=pjmyqn7iCcSNcXQ9

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