Rosie Scribble

Guest post: Twins, Triplets and More

Today I am delighted to be handing my little corner of the blogosphere over to lovely Linda Jones who is guest posting on the subject of multiple births and post-natal depression. Linda discusses the reality of coping with twins or more and highlights a new free initiative offering support for parents preparing for a multiple birth.

 

Twins can be a gorgeous blessing but bring extra demands for the parents.

DO you know anyone expecting twins or triplets?

If you do, please point them in the direction of a new free initiative which can support them and combat post natal depression.

Thank you to Rosie for letting me stop by. I’m on a blog tour don’t you know. Yesterday I stopped off at LivingwithKids. I’m taking this "journey" because it’s an awareness week, this week, called Twins, Triplets & More week and this year in particular, it’s speaking up about a subject close to my heart – helping mums with post natal depression.

The focus is on an initiative called Get Ready for Multiples:

I am not stupid

About four years ago I received a letter not dissimilar to this, with the accompanying graphics:

Dear Rosie,

I have sent you this letter.  

I have sent this letter for you to read.

My name is Alison.

I would like to invite you to a group.

It is a group you might like.

It is a group for people who have depression.

Depression is an illness.

The letter came from a mental health professional.

I used to suffer from depression, it is quite common, many of us are susceptible to bouts of blackness from time to time. Life isn't easy.

However, just because in the past I have been added to a database that clearly classifies me in the 'mental health' category, does not mean that I cannot read. Nor does it mean that I need to be sent letters  in bold type and very plain English. I do not need pictures to assist with my understanding.

If I had replied, it would have gone something like this:

Dear Alison,

I have sent you this letter.

I have sent you this letter to read.

My name is Rosie.

I am a person.

I have feelings.

I am a graduate.

I have four A Levels.

I am intelligent.

I am articulate.

I have a comprehensive grasp of the English Language.

I do not need to receive letters in bold type and plain English.

I do not need pictures to aid my understanding.

There is nothing wrong with my eye sight.

I know what depression is.

I have experienced depression.

That does not make me stupid.

In my experience, a huge stigma stills exists in society surrounding mental health. It is a stigma which affects those experiencing mental health distress today as well as those affected in the past.  To help combat this and to act as a resource for those interested in, or affected by, mental health issues, Linda Jones and Lyn Jenkins have set up a fabulous new blog called Breaking the Silence.

Lyn is a regional co-ordinator with Mind and Linda is a journalist. They are both are involved with a mental health project in the Midlands and their blog will chart progress, discuss issues and highlight articles and resources they hope may be of interest.

Please visit their site and support their work. It is full of interesting articles and helpful resources and its content is growing all the time.

Let's make a difference and break the silence that surrounds mental health.

Black dog

Occasionally, the black dog of depression visits our household. Thankfully it is not very often but when the dark mist descends, life seems to come grind to a halt; very little gets done and all that can be achieved each day is just getting through, sometimes a minute at a time.

After a week of dwelling on the negatives and questioning what future me and IJ actually had, the mist has lifted and the black dog has disappeared. I am back in the land of the living, slightly worn down by the whole experience and a little thinner, but with a zest for life once again.

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, one in four people will be affected by some form of mental health problem during the course of their lifetime, but when you're going through it you feel as if you are the only one. There's still a stigma attached to depression (and many other mental health problems) but people do seem more prepared to talk about it these days, and that has to be a good thing.

So thanks to my friends who have cooked me food, entertained IJ when all she had was my glum face to look at, and who have listened to me whinge, and all the time never once telling me to "pull myself together".

Love you loads x

Sources of help for those interested:

The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Mind- national association for mental health

Young Minds

Beat- the eating disorder charity

Sane

Depression Alliance