Postnatal Depression

Elaine readily admits that she felt ‘she wasn’t the type’ to suffer from postnatal depression! Experience has taught her that the illness can and does affect anyone – although there are some risk factors, generally it is an indiscriminate illness that can devastate the lives of the mother, baby, partner and many others. Elaine feels that if she had been given more information and accepted support that was offered then perhaps she would not have spiralled into the traumatic extreme of puerperal psychosis that resulted. Now sharing the joy of her niece (pictured), Elaine continues to appreciate the pleasures a new baby can bring.

This is why she is passionate about:

1. Raising the awareness of the illness
2. Reducing the stigma attached to mental illness
3. Minimising the effects of postnatal depression
4. Educating parents, health professionals, employers and the wider community.

How?

1. Keynote presentations, e.g. Angela Harrison Charitable Trust , The Baby Show
2. Workshops for parents and/or healthcare professionals, care workers, etc.
3. Individual support offered
4. Media involvement, such as recent filming with ITN/NHS Choices, BBC Breakfast television
5. Promotion of her book
6. Representing service users in policy design and health education, e.g. Open University Nursing Programme Committee.