Mums Committing Suicide I Finally Get It

I get it. I finally get it. You see mums committing suicide. And I couldn’t understand it. How do you leave your kids behind like that?

Postpartum depression is what they call it. You don’t feel like the world would be better off without you, you feel like you’d be better off without this world.

And then everybody posts, “oh, I never knew. She didn’t say anything. She seemed okay.” ……. She told you. And it seemed small to you, you didn’t get it.

Behind on life, can’t get anything done. Everything is expected of her and she’s drowning. She lost herself taking care of others. She’s told you, “I can’t today. I have too much to do”

Don’t offer to help with her kids because then the guilt sets in. She won’t let you take them because she feels like she’s already not spending enough time with them. I see it. I see you. I understand you. Y’all wanna check on somebody? Stop by and visit, let her take a shower, help her in some way so she feels like she’s not so behind. Like she’s not alone. Like she’s HUMAN. There’s your signs. Stop saying you didn’t know. Because she told you.

Photographer: Taylor LaKae Rawlings

Speak to your GP or health visitor as soon as possible if you think you might have postnatal depression.

With appropriate treatment and support, most women make a full recovery, although it can take time.

Looking after a baby can be stressful and challenging for anyone, and it can be even tougher if you’re dealing with postnatal depression as well.

There are a number of things you can try yourself to improve your symptoms and help you cope. These include:

• talk to your partner, friends and family – try to help them understand how you’re feeling and what they can do to support you

• don’t try to be a “supermum” – accept help from others when it’s offered and ask your loved ones if they can help look after the baby and do tasks such as housework, cooking and shopping

• make time for yourself – try to do activities that you find relaxing and enjoyable, such as going for a walk, listening to music, reading a book or having a warm bath

• rest when you can – although it can be difficult when you’re looking after a baby, try to sleep whenever you get the chance, follow good sleeping habits and ask your partner to help with the night-time work

• exercise regularly – this has been shown to help boost mood in people with mild depression (read more about exercise for depression)

• eat regular, healthy meals and don’t go for long periods without eating

• don’t drink alcohol or take drugs , as this can make you feel worse

Ask your health visitor about support services in your area. They may be able to put you in touch with a social worker, counsellor or local support group. It can be reassuring to meet other women who are going through something similar.