REACHING OUT
A MOUNT Louisa woman who suffered postnatal depression after the births of her two children has turned her life around and is using her experiences to support other mothers.
Kareau McKey, mother to Oliver, 4, and Emerson, 18 months, said during her darkest days of postnatal depression, she found it difficult to get out of bed and couldn’t help but “cry all day”.
“It was a very isolating experience and one I eventually sought help for,” she said. “I felt trapped in motherhood, trapped in the demands of caring for a baby around the clock. I felt great resentment.”
Latest statistics from Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia reveal that postnatal depression is a common experience – affecting one in seven mums and one in 10 dads.
“So many parents are affected by this, yet there are so many parents that are suffering in silence, feeling unable to seek help,” Ms McKey said. “One way to make new mums feel less alone is to speak out and normalise experiences of mental health issues following giving birth.
“If parents feel they can share their stories of experiencing postnatal depression, all the better. Sharing experiences helps others feel less alone when they are in the midst of postnatal depression.”
Ms McKey said counselling provided her with solid coping mechanisms after she sought help for her postnatal depression.
“That helped me immensely after Ollie’s birth,” she said. “When I got postnatal depression after my second baby’s birth, I was introduced to another way, Kangatraining, that helped me on the road to mental wellness.”
Ms McKey said she started Kangatraining – which is dubbed baby- wearing aerobics – as a tool to help overcome postnatal depression.
“Research has shown that exercise is a vital tool in enhancing mental and physical health and can be part of an effective treatment in reducing the symptoms and severity of postnatal depression,” she said.
“Also baby wearing has shown to reduce crying in infants, promote bonding, satisfy baby’s need for human interaction and provide a parenting tool that allows that parent to be more socially involved. Kangatraining offers both baby wearing and exercise benefits to mums.”
Ms McKey said the Kangatraining classes had many benefits.
The next Kangatraining starts April 16.
To contact Kareau McKey, go to the Kangatraining Facebook page or email kangatrainingtownsville@ gmail. com class