Regular readers will know, I’m a passionate advocate for speaking out about Post-Natal Depression. I want to remove the stigma and get the message out there that PND is not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. You are not alone and it will never define you.
It was a hellish time. I felt completely overwhelmed and alone. I didn’t recognise my own reflection in the mirror. I cried every day and found myself literally drowning in darkness.
But things got brighter.
Slowly but surely, things improved, I began to feel more human again. The fog began to clear and the light returned.
Despite things improving, I still have tough days. I feel as though PND is like this long shadow that will always be with me.
That’s why I am so keen to get a national conversation going.
Simply put, we need to talk about post-natal depression. We need to spread the message that post-natal depression doesn’t make you a failure. We need to let women know that it doesn’t mean they aren’t cut out to be a mum. You haven’t done anything wrong. It just means you need some time and support.
Nurture is the only Irish registered nationwide charity that offers support to women who are going through PND. They also offer professional counselling and supports surrounding pregnancy and childbirth and maternal mental health illnesses to women, partners and their families.
They are a fantastic and much needed organisation, but shockingly they receive no government funding…
Apart from writing to the Minister for Health to try and change that, the other thing you can do is support their WOW (Wellness of Women) Day Out in aid of Nurture, happening in The Citywest Hotel on the 7th of October from 10am till 6pm.
It’s going to be a day not to be missed. A day for mammies to switch off, leave their mum-badge at the door and instead concentrate on giving themselves some TLC.
Expect lots of self-care for the mind, body and soul. There will be fab pop-up shops, beauty demos, goodies and fashion as well as health and wellness talks, plus lots of support and fun from like-minded women. I’ll be getting stuck in on the day too, as well as a host of other mummy bloggers who are also passionate about maternal mental health.
Tickets are €20 from Event Brite and are on sale now.
To celebrate the launch of the event, we’ve got a pair of tickets up for grabs to the WOW event, so you and you bestie can come along and enjoy some pampering for the body and soul.
To enter, head over to our Facebook Page and see the competition post. Winners will be announced under that post.
