Summer Replay : Surviving Postpartum Depression & Anxiety l EP51

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum psychosis, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and a suicide attempt. Please take care of yourself. Support resources are listed below.

With all the focus at the moment on the Lindsay Clancy trial and maternal mental health being in the spotlight, I knew I needed to replay this episode. 

What if the darkest moment of your life became the thing that saved another mother? In this deeply honest episode of The Midlife Awakening, host Odilia sits down with Stef — mum of two, survivor of severe postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, and co-founder of perinatal wellbeing campaign Brighter Skies — for one of the most important conversations this podcast has ever had.

Stef's story begins with the traumatic induction birth of her son Harlan. Within weeks she was battling an unrelenting mental health crisis that would lead to a suicide attempt, an inpatient stay at a mother and baby unit she didn't know existed, and ultimately a mission to ensure no other family faces what hers did — alone and uninformed. She has since navigated postnatal depression a second time, and she is here to make sure no mother has to find her way through the dark on her own.

Support Resources:

• PANDAS Foundation (postnatal mental health): pandasfoundation.org.uk | Free helpline: 0808 1961 776
• Samaritans: samaritans.org | 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• MIND: mind.org.uk
• NHS Perinatal Mental Health: nhs.uk
• In immediate crisis: call 999 or go to your nearest A&E
• Brighter Skies - https://www.brighterskies.org.uk/
• Justgiving page - 

Disclaimer: The Midlife Awakening Podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only. Nothing shared in this episode constitutes medical, psychological, or clinical advice. We are not qualified healthcare professionals. Please seek support from your GP, midwife, or a qualified mental health professional if you are struggling.