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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can I help someone suffering from postnatal depression?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health Postnatal Depression
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    beyondblue

    beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia.beyondblue is a bipartisan initiative of … View Profile

    Having helpful family members and friends can make recovering from postnatal depression (PND) easier. While relatives and friends won't be able to make the woman's PND go away, offering support can be helpful. Here are some suggestions for ways to provide support.

    • Learn about postnatal depression.
    • Spend time listening, without feeling the need to offer solutions.
    • Encourage the new mum to seek professional help. 
    • Offer to spend time looking after the baby or older children or discuss other childcare options so the mum can have time out.
    • Let the woman know how well she is doing when she makes small gains. 
    • Offer to help with housework like cooking and cleaning. 
    • Encourage the woman to use some self-help strategies - seethis link http://beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=94.607&tmp=FileDownload&fid=330
    • Recognise that anxiety may be present too. Like depression, anxiety is also treatable.
    As a woman recovers from PND, the level of support she needs may change. It's important that family members and friends take their cues from her and try to adapt. Advice for Partners

    Partners of women with PND are sometimes forgotten. It's a very stressful time for partners and one in which they may also be at risk of becoming depressed. It is really important that partners look after themselves during this difficult period and maintain their own mental health.
    • Remember that PND is treatable.
    • Talking honestly about feelings to someone like a friend, family member or a psychologist can help.
    • Get involved in any support groups offered for partners and discuss feelings.
    • Plan some time together as a couple and try to do something that both partners have always enjoyed.
    • Accept offers of help or organise for someone to help with meals, housework and the children.
    • Encourage your partner to see a health professional.
    • Offer to help your partner around the house. 
    • Offer to arrange for your partner to see a health professional and go along to the session with her. 
    • Expect that a woman with PND can be moody, irritable, volatile, teary and withdrawn. Try not to take what she says as a personal attack.
    • Understand that your partner may not want to be close or intimate. It is common for a woman with PND to be withdrawn and less interested in sex because she may be overwhelmed, exhausted and not feeling good about herself.
    • Live life one day at a time!
    Getting help if someone is suicidal

    If a person is suicidal you should: 
    • let a doctor know the person is feeling suicidal (either GP or psychiatrist)
    • take the person to a local public hospital 
    • contact a local Crisis Team 
    • contact a trusted friend or family member
    • telephone a counselling service: 
    • Lifeline - 13 11 14
    • Mensline - 1300 789 978
    • Suicide Helpline - 1300 651 251 (Victoria only - 24 hour counselling) 
    • Kids Help Line - 1800 55 1800 (free call).

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  • Brigitte Safrana

    Counsellor, Hypnotherapist

    I created Surfing The Blues and Surfing The Baby Blues Counselling & Hypnotherapy services in order to help individuals and couples restore balance in their … View Profile

    Beyond Blue has provided all the necessary answers. however, I cannot stress how important it is to listen without judgement or solutions to whatever issue a postnatal mum will raise. Organizing some free time for her is also a good way to help and it has to be on a regular basis so she can start to get to know herself again.  Exercise like jogging or walking in a nice park is beneficial.  Recommending the help of a group and/or professional is an invaluable plus.

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