Melinda McKeown has started a support group for sufferers.
Help for the baby blues
October 07, 2009
Section: News
Post natal depression affects almost 16 per cent of new mothers in Australia, according to BeyondBlue.
Fortunately for Illawarra women, help and support is at hand with the launch of counsellor Melinda McKeown’s PND group.
“I call myself a survivor,” she revealed of her own experience with the illness.
“I had depression and the obsessive compulsive thoughts. You lose interest in all activities including the baby – it’s just horrible.
“I remember how terrifying it was.”
But what was more shocking for the Balgownie resident was the lack of support groups within the Illawarra.
“There were internet forums but it wasn’t the same, there wasn’t that face to face contact, so when I got better I knew I had to do something,” she said.
The PND support group meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month. For more information, contact Melinda@mckeown.net.au or phone 0410 138 196.
- Oct 31, 2009 @ 07:33pm
I have had two children (now 7 and 11) and have suffered from PND with both. A support group was one of the keys to dealing with it successfully. When a friend called recently from the wollongong area saying she had just been diagnosed with PND, I knew finding some local support would be important. I'll pass on this info.
Comment count: 2
Details of group: PND SUPPORT GROUP Balgownie Village Community Centre 113 Balgownie Road Balgownie (youth room) 1st & 3rd Thursday of every month 11am - 12pm Details: Melinda 0410 138 196