Going Public About Postnatal Depression
Sponsored by Bupa Australia
I have been writing about my experience with postnatal depression (PND) and anxiety since my daughter was five months old. Recently I was offered an opportunity to put my face to this illness in a very public way.
Sometimes when someone offers you an opportunity to ‘walk-the-walk’ it can be terrifying but without fear we cannot be brave.
My family and I appeared in a commercial for Bupa’s Parent and Baby Wellbeing Program which debuted nationally in Australia over a week ago. We are not aspiring actors, just real people sharing our story to help other families who may be going through something similar.
I’ve always tried to speak about my experience with PND openly with my friends and blog-readers but when Bupa contacted me to see if I would like to share my story on national TV I was nervous….but in a good way. Whenever I decide to push beyond the boundaries of my comfort-zone, it usually leads to unexpected growth.
My gut told me told me to do the ad. I have been a Bupa customer since 2011 and I believed in the story they wanted to tell. I participated-in and loved the program they were promoting. The whole thing aligned with my core values. Best case scenario, more women would know about the program and it could help de-stigmatise post natal depression.
By saying yes to the ad, I could potentially reach more people than my blog or mouth ever could.
There are those who don’t believe in sharing such a personal journey and that’s okay too. I tried to picture what that criticism might look like. When I first started sharing stories on the blog I had family members question why I didn’t just write in a journal. They were trying to protect me but I was already hurting.
Back then, just like now, I wanted to go public. To connect to others. To hold myself accountable. To help change the world in my own, small way.
I am confident in where I am and how I got there.
And you know what? Being open about my journey has led to richer, more grounded relationships, deeper friendships and I have become much more confident in myself. Finally, I am not worried what others think of me..
I have learned that post natal depression is so much more common than I ever imagined. Maybe women, like myself, didn’t know where to go to seek help. Even as a Bupa customer, I was unaware I had access to The Parent and Baby Wellbeing Program until I desperately needed it.
So can I please ask you a favour?
Help me spread the word. Share this post with a pregnant friend, a mother, or a family that might need help or support.
Let’s all be accountable for those villages that all parents and children need.
Labels: Family, healing, parenting, Post Natal Depression, Pregnancy
posted by Unknown @ 10:09 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Awesome and inspiring. What a wonderful way to start my work day, thinking about parenting, even though my son is 17. You always want to be a better parent, but doing that in a healthy way is key.
Thank you so much! I agree you want to try to improve in a healthy way. Sometimes I think that means making sure that you are okay first. xoxo
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home