Baby Blues? Help is at hand

Do you or someone you care about have a young baby or toddler at home and feel that things are not as easy or enjoyable as you would have hoped. Do you find it hard to get out and perhaps feel tearful or stressed?

Some mums are surprised to find out that 1 in 10 women experience some form of Post Natal depression or anxiety following the birth of their baby. Symptoms vary from person to person but may include lack of motivation, tearfulness, anxiety, guilt, irritability, feeling lonely, abandoned or unsupported, anger, panic attacks or not feeling love for your baby. Often friends and family are unaware of the extent of the problem.

A Time To Talk Counselling and Coaching Service were approached to set up a support group for mums who may be experiencing some degree of Post Natal depression or anxiety. The group is based at Abbey Meads Community School and mums are invited from the whole of Swindon and its surrounding areas. The service is free and there will be a free crèche on site.

The main purpose of the group is to break isolation for mums who may be at home on their own with their baby and feeling lonely. The group will enable them to build up a support network with the other mums and offer helpful techniques and strategies which will help them to improve their depression and motivation. Alongside the counsellors, health visitors will be on hand at times during the sessions to offer their support and answer any questions the mums may have on practical issues around parenting.

The group is held on Thursdays during term time only and sessions run from 1.00 to 2.30. The venue is Abbey Meads Community Rooms adjoining Abbey Meads Primary School, Hugo Drive, Swindon.

The counsellors at A Time To Talk Counselling and Coaching Service understand how hard it can be for a mum who is not feeling her best to find the energy, motivation and confidence to attend a new group. We hope to make the experience a positive one for the mums who attend and will make every effort to make them feel welcome and at ease.

Sometimes mums may not feel that they have Post Natal depression, perhaps they just feel a little low, if you think this may relate to you then please come along and join us.

Here is just some of the feedback received from mums who attended previous sessions :-

• "friendly and welcoming"
• "it's ok to talk or just listen"
• "other people understand what you feel like"
• "The counsellors have been great and very understanding and always there to listen no matter what. Meeting people with the same illness and that I am not alone has been helpful"
• "The group is brilliant. I have learned a lot from the other people and friends in the group"
• "It has helped me to cope with things better"
• "The most helpful thing is knowing that someone else understands"

Please call either A Time To Talk Counselling and Coaching Service on 07722 023950 or Roxanna Cox the community worker at Abbey Meads on 07966 023636 to book your place in the free crèche and arrange help with transport and a ‘buddy’ should you require it.

The group was recently featured on BBC Radio Swindon's breakfast show.