How Others Can Help

For family & friends:


  • Encourage the depressed mother to seek help from a GP; public health nurse and counsellor.
  • Encourage her to join a support group. Social Isolation can contribute to postnatal depression.
  • Try to be patient
  • Assist in arranging practical child care.
  • Try to let her express her true feelings, and treat them with sympathy.
  • Try to find out more about postnatal depression.

Especially for fathers:


  • Try, as a couple, to go out without the children, but don\'t force her to do anything she doesn\'t feel ready for.
  • Frequently assure her that her illness is temporary and that she will get well.
  • Encourage activity, even though she might resist, e.g. you might suggest going for a walk together.
  • Try to ensure that your partner gets enough food and rest.
  • Give her a massage - this will help her relax and restore her well-being.
  • Reassure her of your support and that you will not abandon her.

Whatever you do, Do Not:


  • walk out on her, however difficult or impossible she is.
  • leave her alone with the baby for too long.
All of these can make the depression worse.

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Contact Details

  • PND Ireland,
    Administration Building,
    Cork University Hospital,
    Wilton,
    Cork
  • support@pnd.ie
  • 021 4922083

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