Breaking the silence

'I tried to kill myself while I was pregnant'

Introduced by Lyn Jenkins and Linda Jones.

WE never cease to be amazed by the power of the stories submitted for this blog.

This latest contribution, from an anonymous mum, is heartbreaking.

But still she asked us: "Do you think it's worth sharing?"

Well yes it is. There can't be many people who would read this story and fail to be moved.

Thank you for sending us your story. We are humbled that you have told it and we wish you all the love in the world. Many women who read this will think: "There for the grace of God..."

Paranoia and post-natal depression

THIS post was sent to us by an anonymous writer who wanted to share their experiences of feeling paranoia and the effect it had on relationships with family members. Many thanks to them for their courage in sharing their experience with us. 

Now, over to our anonymous writer:

THIS was me - a year and a half ago:

I am fat.

No, I am a fat, useless person who has no-one who I can trust. And I am a terrible mother. My children will one day stand before me and tell me that I am a useless fat mother who they hate. I know it. They are babies now, oh yeah, they don't have a choice, but one day, you mark my words, no matter what anyone says, they will hate me. No matter what HE says.  

'Mummy, what's the black dog?' How do you explain mental illness to children?

BLOGGER Tattie Weasle wrote earlier this month about how she talks about her depression to her children.

It's a post that really got me thinking.

When I was ill, I used to tell my daughters that "sometimes I get a bit sad."

That seemed to do. They were very young but they greeted this news with a cuddle and a "I love you" - which was very nice of course.

I didn't feel I needed to protect them from my illness. I felt they should know. I wasn't my normal self and they needed to know why. They'd already noticed a change in me and I didn't want them to be more confused than they already were by this.