Early Days
Accessing Support for Postnatal Depression
Liz Wise, Founder of the Cedar House Support Group for Postnatal Depression, explains how to access appropriate support. See our previous article for an in depth explanation of PND.
Liz Wise is a specialist Postnatal Depression (PND) counsellor who has been supporting mothers with postnatal depression for 25 years.
Having had PND after both her daughters she has a wealth of personal and professional experience in helping mothers understand what they are going through, and helping them to recover. Liz offers confidential one-to-one counselling, either face-to-face, by phone or via email, and runs PND support groups in London and Surrey.
She is the founder of The Cedar House Support Group charity and sits on the committee of The Association for Postnatal Illness.
It is really helpful if a mother can talk to her GP and or health visitor about how she is feeling so she may get the support she needs. Some mothers are frightened of saying how they really feel in fear of having their baby taken away. This is not the case, health professionals are very aware of how common PND is and are there to help mothers recover.
Support and treatment may include, counselling, medication, diet and exercise, support from family and friends and PND support groups. Recovery may take a little time but PND is totally treatable and does go away.
The Cedar House Support Group supports mothers who are experiencing PND.
We run weekly groups in Balham during term time only and have a crèche; both the group and crèche are free of charge. The groups provide a trusting and safe environment for mothers to discuss their feelings with others who are experiencing similar emotional and physical symptoms. The groups have a very high success rate in helping a mother recover, and help to normalise feelings and reduce the sense of isolation that comes with being anxious and depressed. The groups are totally confidential.
Further support for PND
Links to local services for treating depression and anxiety which do not require a GP referral: www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Psychological%20therapies%20(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008
PANDAS Foundation (Pre & postnatal depression support and advice): www.pandasfoundation.org.uk . Helpline 0843 2898401 open 9am-8pm, 7 days a week
The Association for Postnatal Illness, www.apni.org. Helpline 0207 386 0868 Monday-Friday 10am-2pm
NCT’s Shared Experiences Helpline - 0300 330 0700 on Monday - Friday from 9am – 7pm.
Or to contact Liz, [email protected], 07773283556.