Village Building for Mums

We've heard that it takes a village to raise a child. It's also important for a mother (especially a new mother) to have the nurturing and support of a village too.

When I had PND, no one in my village understood what it was like to have a mental illness associated with motherhood. I felt guilt and shame because I wasn't "normal". There was no one to open up to about what was really going on for me.

I can almost guarantee that if someone in my village had known about the signs to look for or how to support someone with PND, then my journey wouldn't have been so isolating.

If someone else in my village had a lived experience of living and coping with a mental illness as a new mum, someone - a go-to that I could have talked to about my real feelings and how I wasn't coping, then I wouldn't have tried to hide from it for as long as I did.

Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness is the bridge into a Mum's village. When's she not coping as a mother. When she's challenged by her mental health. When she's overwhelmed with the entire deal of motherhood. Our Peachy Parents Groups are building strong villages of support for mums. They provide a place to speak opening and honestly, without judgement. A place where friendships are formed and deep breaths are taken as mums realise they're not on their own and they are not alone in their experiences.

Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness is a not for profit organisation who rely on fundraising efforts and securing grants to support our Peachy Parents Groups and our Parent Education Programs. We may not have the big shiny name or reputation (yet) of other charities, however the work we carry out in our communities has a huge impact not only on the mums engaging in our services, but the children, partners and families too.

Having said that, I encourage you to take a moment to make a small contribution to a very worthwhile cause who doesn't have the ability to promote ourselves in flashing neon lights. Our annual Peach Tree Trek is on next Sunday 1st May in Brisbane, one of our biggest fundraising efforts for the year. Even $5 will make the biggest difference to the villages we are building and will help us to expand them to reach more families who can benefit from having Peach Tree in their lives.