Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to my blog. I am glad that you are here.

I am a mom who has experienced Postpartum Depression/Postpartum Mood Disorder/Perinatal Mental Illness. I now advocate for awareness of, support, and stigma removal.

I entitled my blog "It Takes A Village" in reference to the African proverb that is so commonly known. I feel very strongly that we as a society have set very high standards and expectations of new mothers to take care of their children on their own, without support or help after the first week or so.

I think we have it backwards: New Mom's need respite and support whether they are well or not. We need support and encouragement, and someone to relieve us so that we can get some sleep and time to rejuvienate.


My aim with this blog is to bring awareness to the world, and support to other Moms (and Dads) that are going through this experience. I am passionate about reducing stigma as it creates the barrier that keeps women silent and suffering. I want Moms to feel safe enough to share their story and get the support and help they need to get better.


I encourage you, if you believe you may be experiencing more than the "baby blues" to seek out help. You will not be judged or criticized. The goal of all list here on this blog are to support you and help you heal so that you may live the life you dreamed of with your child.


This blog is a work in progress, please check in often to see more updates and new information!


Friday, March 18, 2011

BLOG HIGHLIGHT: PATRICIA TOMASI



I met Patricia through her comments on this blog.I believe it was synchronicity for me; I had just come to the conclusion that I really needed to start meditating to reduce my stress level and bring me to a better level of peace. And then, Patricia comes along. It was a sound message; clear as a bell! She is truly an inspiration to me.

Click on the links so that you can read her story and enjoy her blog as I do.

Blog link:
http://myownexperimentwithtruth.wordpress.com
by Patrica Tomasi

Article in Today's Parent: How Meditation Helped Me with Postpartum Anxiety and Depression
 http://www.todaysparent.com/lifeasparent/motherhood/article.jsp?content=20110222_151309_5292&page=1

Thursday, March 17, 2011

NEW!!! READ THIS BLOG IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE!!

Go to the TRANSLATOR on the TOP RIGHT sidebar and pick the language of your choice!

To the Woman I met today at the Hospital....



Today I went to see my Doctor. In the waiting room was a family of four; the mother sat across from me with a pink diaper bag at her feet, the father sat beside me holding a 11 month old baby, and a beautiful young daughter, maybe 5 years old wandered around.

I could only see the Mother's eyes, and I smiled at her. She looked away quickly. She had a firm grasp on her hands, and worked them slowly, with such intensity. She was under so much stress and my heart went out to her. I wanted to go sit beside her and talk to her, but I did not want to invade her privacy.

I felt that she was suffering, and the suffering was something that I was very familiar with.
It was my turn, and the family had just finished speaking to the Doctor and were going home. I walked over to her and gave her the card that promotes this blog. I said "me too" pointing to the card and myself and patted her shoulder. I wish I had a put a phone number on it besides the website. I wish there wasn't a language barrier and I could speak to her. I hoped she had a computer and Internet.

All through my own appointment, I thought about her and wondered what kind of support she was getting. Does she have family besides her husband? Is there anyone to help with the children? (The Doctor is treating her for what I guessed). My greatest wish is that she does not go through this alone, with no one to talk to. I don't even know what language she speaks!

If you are out there...help is here.  Call the help line!   ** Click the language translator on the top right and choose your language!!

Monday, March 7, 2011

On the same page…
Living with PMD
Postpartum Mood Disorder not only affects the person with it,

but also the loved ones around them.
It takes a team to raise a family, but that team needs to be on “the same page”.

 Are you finding it hard to understand your partner with PMD?
 Do you want to learn 3 key strategies to work together for the good of your children and family?

Join us for an afternoon session presented by:
Brain Russell, Chair of the Father Involvement Initiative of Ontario

Saturday April 16th, 2011, 2-4pm
Brittany Glen OEYC
5632 Tenth Line West, Mississauga,

Child Minding provided ,Light refreshments provided

Please call 905-822-1114 to register by April 10th

Limited to 30 families: Register EARLY to secure your spot!

Session hosted by the Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centres & the Peel Postpartum Mood Disorder Program

in partnership with Caledon Parent Child Centre, Malton Neighbourhood Services, Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre &

Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre