Maternal Mental Health is a phrase to describe the emotional and mental changes that a parent can experience from conception onwards. Prenatal and postnatal mental illness can impact anyone of any age, and 1 in 5 women will experience it – and that’s just those that reach out for help.
That’s why I feel that it’s so important to discuss Maternal Mental Health as openly as you feel comfortable to. Personally, when I began speaking to other parents that had experienced postnatal anxiety and depression, in particular those who had suffered with their illness and recovered, it was a sign of hope.
Before I connected with those people, I truly believed I was alone with my thoughts, feelings and fears, and I truly believed I would never recover from my illness.
When I came to Mothers Mind – Staffordshire, I decided that I would be open and honest and share my truth. I was met with the most wonderful women, who not only listened but understood and reassured me that what I was experiencing was normal and that I would get better - because they had lived it and experienced it themselves.
After the weight was lifted from my shoulders, I promised myself that I would share my story and my reality of parenthood – in the hope that even just one person would feel slightly less alone, or recognise that they feel similar and reach out for help.
I wanted to share with you a podcast that I was a part of, where I discussed my experience with Maternal Mental Health.
I also decided to share my experience of Maternal Mental Health on social media, as I know that it can often be a highlight reel used to show the 'best bits' of parenthood - and I didn't want that to be the case with me.
The love, support, and kindness I've received through sharing my journey means so much to me. I also had so much feedback about how much I had helped, that some people had reached out because they related so much to how I had felt, even some parents with much older children reached out to say they finally realised what had been wrong all those years ago and that had brought them peace. This is a huge part of what inspired me to become a volunteer for Mothers Mind - Staffordshire, knowing that someone may hear my story or see how far I've come in my journey, and feel hope.
Let's share the reality of Maternal Mental Health, this Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (2nd May - 8th May 2022)
Shannon
xxx
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