Postnatally depressed women may feel unable to go out of their
house, and meeting people causes them a great deal of stress, therefore contact made on
the phone is ideal.
Mothers find that talking to someone who has had the illness and recovered
allows them to talk about the most distressing symptoms of the illness. The phone
volunteers also give the mothers hope that they will eventually recover. For those who are
not on the phone we can offer the services of volunteers who will communicate by post.
This service is also available to women who would prefer to be supported by post.
The Association has a countrywide network of phone and postal volunteers, who
have had, and recovered from post-natal illness. The volunteers are carefully vetted to
ensure that they are completely well, that they have had no previous mental illness and
that they are not oppossed to drug therapy.
Depressed mothers are phoned/written too at regular intervals throughout their illness and
the recovery period. The relationship between the volunteer and depressed mother is
regularly monitored. Most mothers find it an enormous relief to talk to someone who really
understands how they feel. Depressed mothers are always advised to seek medical help and
constantly assured that they will recover.
The Association runs a support service for husbands and families of the depressed mother.
Many of the volunteer husbands are delighted to talk to husbands of sufferers and offer
help and advice if necessary.
If you are suffering from postnatal depression we do advise you to try talking
to one of our volunteers. We are always happy to hear from depressed mothers and glad to
answer any enquiries. You can ring us on the helpline at the top of the page or email us,
but please do enclose an S.A.E. if you write.
The Association has produced a number of leaflets which are
available to maternity units, ante-natal clinics, etc. The leaflets describes the
Baby Blues and Post-natal Depression. It seeks to make women more aware of this illness
without alarming them. It is hoped that women who do suffer post-natal depression will
seek medical advice at an earlier time in the course of the illness if they are educated
about it. See Leaflets on PNI
The Association has a publication called "Post-natal
Depression This explains the symptoms of the illness and gives some idea of the treatment
available, and ways in which sufferers can help themselves.
It is constantly being revised and expanded. The Association is able to advise
correspondents on a wide range of issues concerning the management and treatment of
postnatal illness. See Leaflets on PNI
The Association is a Charity committed to ralsing money to support
research into Post-natal illness. The work of the Association is welcomed by the medical
profession. Mothers are referred to the Association by doctors, midwives and health
visitors.
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