Free online event on becoming a parent in a pandemic

On Wednesday 11 November, from 2-4 pm, Surrey will host an interactive panel that will discuss the mental health issues that many new parents face, which could be aggravated and intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As well as serving as a valuable mouthpiece for new mothers and fathers, the gathering will feature speakers from The Fatherhood Institute, The National Childbirth Trust, The Institute of Health Visiting, ROSHNI-2and other universities from across the country.

Those interested in attending can register here.

The virtual event is part of the Economics and Social Research Council Festival of Social Sciences.

 Dr Ranjana Das, Reader in Media and Communications at the University of Surrey, said: “Becoming a new parent is a significant life event that brings monumental challenges in the best of times. Adding the stress and uncertainty of the world today, thanks to COVID-19, makes new parenthood even more challenging – with numerous support avenues closed and unavailable.

“With this event on 11 November, the key message we want to convey to new parents is that they are not alone and the challenges of COVID-19 for those becoming new parents today are increasingly being noticed. This event brings together the experiences of people who have become parents in the pandemic and those who work to support them.”