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.

Because Parenting Isn't Always Peachy

If you've been following my blog for awhile, it's no secret that I suffered Post Natal Depression after the birth of my first born. I suffered in silence and guilt for a long time, not wanting to confide in anyone and feeling ashamed for the feelings I was having towards motherhood.

If you want to read about the ins and outs of my motherhood journey, head over here for a squiz.

About 18 months ago I was lucky enough to find a wonderful organisation called Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness who are dedicated to helping parents who have or at risk of developing a mental illness during the perinatal period. As soon as I read their website, I fell in love with what they do and how they are doing it. Mainly because it's so aligned with my own personal values and big, hairy, scary vision of developing a Parenting and Perinatal Wellness Centre for the Capricorn Coast.

But that's not what I am writing about today!

This weekend I am heading to the magnificent Sunshine Coast to take part in the Peach Tree Coastal Trek - a 22km trek to help raise awareness of perinatal wellness and the work that Peach Tree is doing. If you would like to support me, please head to my supporter page to donate.

This is the major fundraising event for the year. Being a not-for-profit organisation they don't receive any funding from the government, so rely solely on fundraising and winning grants for projects. It helps to keep Peachy Parents Groups running each week. We are seeing success with the group I was involved in starting in Yeppoon earlier in the year and it would be wonderful to be able to spread this even further.

Little Mr and I have clocked up many km's over the past few months getting ready for Saturday. Any support you can give will go to a great cause. Parenting isn't always peachy and it's a relief to know that there's support out there if and when you need it.

Head on over to https://peachtreetrek2015.everydayhero.com/au/shanelle to make a donation.

Being PND Aware

Dear Fellow Mums

You may or may not be aware that this week is Post Natal Depression Awareness Week. You may have just cringed as you read that, and that's ok. This post is not for everyone.

Right now you may feel like you're sitting on the bones of your backside in the deepest darkest blackest place you've ever known,  or you are reduced to tears for no good reason, you may feel or you are constantly feeling guilty, worthless and incapable of going on, you may feel at a loss of what to do, who to turn to. I know these feelings well, because I have been there - in the cupboard, shrouded in darkness, sad, lonely and lost. Feeling like I was the only one. But I wasn't.

As a Mum who has travelled the rocky and bumpy path of PND and come through the other side, I feel it's my duty of care to reach out and help those who may be struggling with being a new Mum or just being a Mum in general.

If you are feeling in any way depressed, overwhelmed or simply not coping with motherhood, please reach out for help. (At the end of the post I will share with you some fantastic organisations that exist that can help you).

Reaching out and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your family relies on you more than you will ever know. If you are not functioning well, neither does your family. Mothers are the glue that hold families together.

Talking about how you are feeling is so important. Getting out of your head and putting your feelings into words can help so much.

Please know that no matter how dark and heavy you may feel, it can get better and it will get better. You must be the person to make this decision. If you can't make the decision for you, make it for your family, for your children, for their future. As my GP told me "a happy, healthy Mum makes a happy, healthy family".

Your mental health and wellbeing is just as important as your physical health. If you are physically unwell, chances are you would do something about it. Why should your mental health be any different?

It's okay to feel afraid, scared and frightened of what may lay before you. Reach out. Talk to someone you trust (a friend, your GP, a counsellor, Life Coach).

What's not okay is to try to battle through alone, hoping these feelings will just go away, because they don't and they won't. So as I promised earlier, here are the names and links to some wonderful organisations doing fabulous work with PND & Perintal Mental Health ( Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness, PANDA, Smiling Mind, COPE, Beyond Blue, Lifeline) Connect with them, utilise their resources.

From one Mother to another, I send you love, strength and courage. I send you peace for your heart. I send you hope for a brighter tomorrow. I send you light for the long dark tunnel.

Love always

Shanelle