Media release from Mother's Helpers

An all too often undiagnosed condition with far-reaching consequences, Post- Natal Depression, is gripping many New Zealand women - and they are afraid to ask for help.

Post-Natal Depression Awareness Week will be launched into the limelight with its inaugural fundraising event on November 8.

Green ribbons will adorn hearts and lapels at Mother's Helpers charity fundraising event at 7.30pm at Orakei Bay, Auckland. This is the week before the official Post-Natal Depression Awareness Week, 17-25 November.

Companies, related agencies and individuals are invited to join celebrity guests, volunteers and 25 deserving mums who suffer Post-Natal Depression for an entertaining, informative evening. Tickets are $25 a head.

Included in the entertainment are guest speakers and mentors, including motivational comedian Terry Williams and celebrity Margarita Politis, who has experienced this debilitating condition first hand. The audience will be seeing green, as they are encouraged to purchase boxes of green ribbons to fundraise in their communities. This will raise the much-needed funds and awareness for this all too common, yet serious condition effecting mothers from all backgrounds.

CEO of Mother's Helpers, Kristina Paterson, says the motto 'Breaking the Silence' was chosen because mothers often suffered in silence with postnatal depression. "It is more than just the stigma of depression - they also don't want to be seen as a bad mother."

"There is a pressure from the 'mothers community' that you need to be seen to have everything going well and everything under control in order to be a good mother. So very often, mothers don't feel that they can share their struggles with other mothers. We want to change that."

The Mother's Helpers Christian Charity's aim is to prevent Post-Natal Depression in those at-risk, and promote wellness to those suffering from Post-Natal depression, via holistic support.

Around 4000 New Zealand women each year are affected my mental health issues during and after childbirth, and research shows that this is when women are more likely to suffer, than any time in their life.

At present there is little help for those with mild to moderate symptoms and not a lot is widely known about the risks involved. Many women go undiagnosed which leads to further complications in their health and relationships.

Promoting awareness is one step in the right direction to reducing the prevalence and effects of Post-Natal Depression. People are also encouraged to sponsor a new mum they know who maybe struggling with depression, by buying them a ticket to the event.
Venue for the Mother's Helpers Green Ribbon appeal event: Orakei Bay, 231 Orakei Road, Orakei, Auckland. http://www.orakeibay.co.nz

To purchase tickets go to http://mothershelpers.co.nz/events or to purchase green ribbons or make a donation go to:- http://mothershelpers.co.nz/green-ribbon-appeal-breaking-silence

Visit www.mothershelpers.co.nz for more information.
Or contact Mother's Helpers on 0800 00 27 17
Did you know:
•    A woman is more likely to suffer mental illness following child birth than at any other time in her life. (Kendall et al, 1987)
•    The risk of developing a psychotic illness is greatly increased in the first 30 days following child birth (Terp & Mortensen, 1998)
•    Deaths from psychiatric causes, including suicide, are a leading cause of maternal mental death in the perinatal period (www.pmmrc.health.govt.nz)
•    In NZ 4000 women a year are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy and post childbirth.
•    120 (3%) of those women per year will suffer from serious post-natal depression or psychosis and will require specialised in-patient hospital care (where they will separated from their baby).

Kristina Paterson
CEO of Mothers Helpers
info@mothershelpers.co.nz
skype: kristina-paterson
www.mothershelpers.co.nz
022-093-1822