I speak a lot about my post-natal depression journey, and my emotions, so I thought I’d write this post listing the different avenues for mother’s, fathers, or anyone if they’re struggling. This is all about support for parents.
Before I go into anything, I must say that I am NOT a professional in any way – unless being an idiot counts. I am a mother who has post-natal depression and have had it for 4 years now. I am only imparting the knowledge I have, and I advise you to take with it what you want.
FIRSTLY, I would highly recommend reading this page from New Zealand’s Mental Health Foundation. It is a great resource for anyone wanting to know more about Post Natal Depression.
If anybody (Mums OR Dads) needs help or support for post natal depression, or think they might be at risk of developing it, then please look into the following:
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YOUR LOCAL GP
Talk to your local GP. I found my local GP to be absolutely amazing and he asked me a specific list of questions which determined where I sat on the depression scale. We then discussed the different options of dealing with my PND, and what it meant for myself and my family. It was not a forgone conclusion that I would go on medication – that was ultimately my decision.
PLUNKET NURSE OR MIDWIFE
If you feel like you can chat to your Plunket Nurse or Midwife, then I suggest you do so. Often they are a wealth of knowledge and worth chatting to.
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Mental Health Foundation website is a great source of information for EVERYONE with concerns. They help to spread mental health awareness.
MOTHERS’ HELPERS
Mothers’ Helpers brings support and practical help to many mothers that are struggling on their own as a single parent, or with postnatal depression/distress. Mothers’ Helpers also do a combined session with the Father & Child trust in their courses.
MOTHERS MATTER
Mothers Matter provides information specific for New Zealand mothers, fathers & families on PND & related conditions, such as anxiety & bipolar disorder.
GREAT FATHERS
Great Fathers is a website with a huge amount of information for new Dads.
FATHER & CHILD
Father & Child is a great website with a huge amount of resources for Fathers.
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For other support networks in New Zealand, please read this Mental Health Foundation page.
It is really important to understand that YOU, the parent, are IMPORTANT. Mothers. Fathers. BOTH of you are imperative in the parenting journey, and looking after yourself first really should take priority.
If you wish to PM me for any reason, please do so through my Happy Mum Happy Child Facebook page. I apologise if it takes me a while to respond – as I always say to people, I need to make sure I have a clear head when I reply, and it’s not always easy as I am a parent first and get distracted by my kids haha. Also sometimes my messaging system is turned off because I get inundated with messages.
If you have found any other amazing services in your parenting journey, when it comes to emotions, or depression, please let me know.
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Here are some more links if you need to get help, of any kind, ASAP:
- Lifeline (open 24/7) – 0800 543 354
- Depression Helpline (open 24/7) – 0800 111 757
- Healthline (open 24/7) – 0800 611 116
- Samaritans (open 24/7) – 0800 726 666
- Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
- Youthline (open 24/7) – 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz
- 0800 WHATSUP children’s helpline – phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.
- Kidsline (open 24/7) – 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.
- Your local Rural Support Trust – 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)
- Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) – 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.
- For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation’s free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812).
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