Picnic to launch Path campaign

Southampton City Council is joining forces with charities, academics and health care professionals in the UK and Europe to raise awareness of, and reduce the stigma associated with, perinatal mental health illnesses that affect thousands of parents every year.

The council is a partner in a UK and Europe-wide project called ‘Path’ (PerinAtal menTal Health) which aspires to build a cross-country support network to help educate people about perinatal mental health, defined as “mild-to-moderate depression and/or anxiety” that can occur any time from conception of a baby to a year after the birth of a child.

The project will be launched in Southampton with a specially organised free Teddy Bears’ Picnic, hosted by the council’s Employment Support Team.

The team will play an active role in Path, by providing support, advice and guidance to empower affected Southampton-based parents, families and employers.

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic will be held at West Park (opposite Southampton Central Library) on Tuesday 27th August, from 12noon-2pm. To attend the picnic – where children (and their teddy bears) are welcome – register at at southampton.gov.uk/PATH.

Cllr Satvir Kaur, Francesca Prior, Dan Stickland and Cllr Dave Shields