For those of you who are reading this through tears of depression or anxiety, let us say that we feel your pain and we hope that your bumpy stretch of the road is only brief and that sooner then later you will start to feel a little more like your old self. We acknowledge your pain and struggle, we acknowledge your strength and passion to make things better. We respect the blood sweat and tears that you have shed during your pregnancy, child birth & post-partum period. A great source of information can be found at the Black Dog Institute and Beyond Blue.

Post natal depression will soon be identified as Peri natal distress as medical authorities, community leaders & government are now starting to fully understand the extent and degree as to which post natal depression & anxiety can affect the women, the husband, the children and the greater community. For many it is a time of distress and despair. Unfortunately it is like living and parenting under a dark cold menacing cloud. But please rest assure that there is definitely hope, there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel.

We implore you to contact someone whether it be your GP, early childhood nurse, psychologist, mother, friend, sister,or lifeline, karitane or tresillian and talk over your concerns and thoughts. A problem shared, identified and understood is so much easier to work on. If you don't know who to contact, please email us and we will locate someone in your area.

For the husbands, partners and families out there who are struggling to keep it together and support your wives & partners please contact someone that you can talk to and share your stress, pain and hurt,  For details please look at our website links.

"Postnatal depression affects one in seven women giving birth in Australia. As well as being a devastating experience for the new mother, it also has dramatic effects on the infant and mother's personal relationships with other family members.

Left untreated, the impact on the mother and her children can be profound. Children of depressed mothers have a higher risk of cognitive and behavioural difficulties, as well as impairments in later mental health. When left untreated, PND can impact on family relationships and some studies have also indicated that the partners of women with PND may also be at greater risk of depression.

If women at risk of postnatal depression are identified during pregnancy and effective psychological and social interventions are provided, then it is possible that postnatal depression may be reduced in severity or prevented altogether"

Source: The Beyond Blue National Postnatal Depression Program