Nine reporter Davina Smith thanks mum who 'saved her life' following struggle with postnatal depression
By Davina Smith|
Of all the interviews I've done, this one had me sweating bullets.
Chelsea sat opposite me in the podcast studio, looking immaculate. Stunning red dress, perfect blonde hair, cool girl boots. You know those people who just glow, and not in a pretentious way.
Chelsea glows with authenticity, openness and love. She looks you in the eye จC and into your soul. And it feels like she can read you.
I wonder if she could read my nerves in that moment?
READ MORE: Vital 'mum advice' Kate Waterhouse missed
There are two women who are the reason why I got help for postnatal anxiety and depression.
Chelsea is one of them. The other is Gidget, whose real name was Louise.
Louise took her own life after struggling with depression and anxiety following the birth of her baby.
Hearing Louise's story was like someone was reading a chapter from my own life จC the bubbly, immaculate woman with a fabulous family.
She was the 'I've got this' mumma, who longed to be a parent, and who everyone said was born into the role.
Chelsea's story played on the big screen at the first Gidget Foundation lunch I attended. Chelsea gave me hope.
Again, same story, retelling a chapter from her life that read like my reality at the time.
Same high-pressure life, a high achiever, a perfectionist personality who wanted to prove to the world that she/me was nailing motherhood. But again, in secret, the thoughts were intrusive and the panic attacks were debilitating and paralysing.
Eventually, a voice in her/my head started tell us that 'all of this' จC the drama, the struggle, the baby's suffering, the husband's load จC was my fault.
And the only way to end it all was to end my life.
Chelsea got help. She got better. And she gave me hope that I could get better, too.
And yet in all my time as an Ambassador of Gidget Foundation Australia, I'd never met Chelsea.
READ MORE: Under $50: Gifts Mum will love to open this Mother's Day
Until this day, several years later in a radio studio where I was about to interview her for a new podcast series for Gidget Foundation Australia '1 in 5 Mothers, 1 in 10 Fathers'.
It launches today.
I won't spoil Chelsea's story จC you'll have to listen, and to the seven other inspirational, honest, hilarious, vulnerable, fragile yet strong powerhouse parents who lived through postnatal depression, anxiety and psychosis.
But there was one moment you need to know about. The moment when Chelsea said her reason for speaking out and sharing her story was in the hope that she might save one life.
Well, she's done so much more than that. She's saved too many lives to count. And one of those many lives is mine.
And in that moment, in that studio, during that record, to thank Chelsea for that.
Well, it was one of the most moving moments of my life. A life I now have back on track thanks to many people, including Louise and Chelsea.
My daughters are seven and two years old now. After both births I suffered PNDA, but with different triggers and different symptoms. We don't know why some mums and dads get unwell.
READ MORE: Child save by hero parent after collapsing during football game
But we do know with early intervention, recovery from PNDA is fast and empowering.
So if you feel alone, know you're not! And if you're struggling, don't! Call Gidget Foundation Australia. Start talking. Start living.
Because life is incredible and the life you've brought into this world adores you and need you.
You can listen to the Gidget Foundation podcast '1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers' here.
If you or someone you know needs support with perinatal depression and anxiety, call the Gidget Foundation on 1300 851 758? or go to gidgetfoundation.org.au
If you or someone you know needs immediate or mental health-related support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
