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Original poster

Thinking of setting up a local Post-natal depression Mother-and-baby Support Group: What do you think?

44 replies

morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:22

I am in teh early stages of considering setting up a mother-and-baby group for women suffering from post-natal depression or stress.

It would be hosted by a local branch of a mental health charity who have a suitable large room.

There would be two members of staff who would provide breastfeeding support and mental health support, and probably the involvement of a health visitor.

Does this sound like a good idea? Does anyone have any thoughts about the pros and cons of such a scheme?

OP posts:
FAQ · 03/09/2008 11:23

My first thought that is when I suffering from PND and depression later on the last thing I would have felt motivated to do was to go out and go somewhere like that - I just wanted to stay home.

However, I could well be alone in my thoughts on that so feel free to ignore me (most people do )

scorpio1 · 03/09/2008 11:25

We have similar here, which i did the 10 week 'course' of.

We went out for coffee, made jewellery, had makeovers from Bodyshop, also serious things, like 1-2-1 and sort of counselling.

We all loved it.

scorpio1 · 03/09/2008 11:25

Some of us who lived further away (more than a mile or so) were picked up in a minibus to help us get out. They had a creche (free)

Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:25

FAQ I agree that's what people want to to do. I think the hardest thing about having your first newborn - whether you have PND or not - is to leave the house! I remember my terror at my first M&T group... But any model of recovery is going to involve the person leaving the house. Home-based help is only going to get you so far, and (in theory at least) the PCT (community midwives) is supposed to provide that already.

OP posts:
Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:26

Scorpio that's really interesting

Can I cat you for more info?

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Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:26

FAQ: Can you suggest some things that did/could have helped?

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scorpio1 · 03/09/2008 11:27

not CATable

stephaniematthews 943 at btinternet dot com

happy to tell you about it

Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:27

Scorpio how old was your baby when you did the course?

Was it by referral from GP or HV or did you refer yourself? How did you find out about it?

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Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:27

thanks Scorpio very interested to hear about your experiences

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Tatties · 03/09/2008 11:41

I think it is a good idea but agree that the hardest part is getting out of the house!

But if mothers knew that it is the kind of place where you don't have to put on a brave face, somewhere you can turn up to be greeted with a cup of tea and a friendly chat then maybe?

LilRedWG · 03/09/2008 11:43

I did a 10 week coursewith HomeStart, called Mums in Mind - it was great and helped a lot. It was hard first going, but I found the support invaluable and still go for a coffee there most weeks.

LilRedWG · 03/09/2008 11:45

Their website has some great information.

Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:47

Thanks LilRed that is really useful information

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 03/09/2008 11:49

If you have any specific questions I'm happy to answer them. It was a great course.

Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:50

LilRed can I cat you?
Did you make friends there?

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 03/09/2008 11:53

You can and I did.

Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:54

I think making friends in the most important thing really

And ensuring that lots of organisations are willing to help with inputting and referrals

There is nothing like that in this area (although we have Homestart here who are brill)

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 03/09/2008 11:55

Where abouts are you MP?

Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:55

somerset

OP posts:
scorpio1 · 03/09/2008 11:55

ds1 was 2 and ds2 was a few months old

I made several friends who i see now 4 years later!

The 'leader' was a HV and someone in the childrens centre had to refer you, but was very easily done.

Emphasis was put on 'completing' the course to gain maximum from it; those who were particularly depresed, if they didnt show, we given a home visit or very minimum a phone call.

LilRedWG · 03/09/2008 11:56

Somehow, I had you down as being in the SE.

scorpio1 · 03/09/2008 11:57

we had the jobcentre, police, housing and CAB visits (not all of us needed these though)

plus fun visits - B&Q gave us paint & stencils to help us decorate our houses cheaply, body shop makeovers, we had a cooking thing one day....

Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:58

Somehow, I had you down as being in the SE.

everyone thinks I am much cooler than I actually am

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Original poster
morningpaper · 03/09/2008 11:58

Scorpio that sounds really excellent - did you make friends too?

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scorpio1 · 03/09/2008 11:58

we had a little code made in the beginning - what is said in the room stays in the room etc etc

at the beginning of each session we were all asked how we were, what was our high point of the week and low point