The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health fund will provide mental health support for families

Families at risk of poor mental health during pregnancy and the early years will be able to access enhanced peer support, parenting support and perinatal counselling services.

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health fund – worth up to £1 million annually - will provide crucial help by supporting voluntary sector organisations to deliver key services and address gaps in provision.

Inspiring Scotland will run the fund - which will open to charities from August - and will work with the Scottish Government to achieve the goals of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Programme Board.

Minister for mental health Clare Haughey said: “The third sector provides an invaluable source of support for the mental health of women, babies and their families during pregnancy and early parenthood.

“Last year, the Scottish Government provided funding to support the work of third sector organisations in this area and I am delighted that we are able to build on this with the new Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund.

“The fund will allow one-to-one support for organisations to help provide the services that women and their families need across Scotland.”

Inspiring Scotland chief executive Celia Tennant said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Scottish Government with this important new third sector fund for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health charities.

“We know how vital the perinatal period is for families and how crucial the early years are for infant development. Charities across Scotland are doing essential work, and with the uncertainty caused by coronavirus (COVID-19), their work is more important now than ever. We look forward to continuing our support of the third sector and their support for infants and families at this crucial stage of life.”

Information for organisations interested in applying is available online.