How I overcome postnatal depression, a mother explains

A TOWNSVILLE mother-of-two admits adjusting to motherhood wasn’t easy but did find a way to overcome postnatal depression.

MOUNT Louisa mother-of-two Kareau McKey admits that adjusting to motherhood wasn’t easy.

“Postnatal depression hit me hard and in my darkest days and I found it difficult to even get out of bed,” she said.

“I eventually sought out help but I feel that mental health issues postnatally need to be normalised.

“If mothers feel they can share how they are feeling with others, all the better.”

Ms McKey moved to Townsville with husband Tim 10 years ago for work. She’s a primary school teacher and Mr McKey works at Ergon.

“We love Townsville and don’t want to leave,” she said.

“It has a wonderful community feel about it, but it has the opportunities of a city.

“It is a very generous city in terms of people supporting people.”

A Mount Louisa mother of two, Kareau McKey, says Townsville has the best parks and recreational facilities for families.

Ms McKey, who is on maternity leave from her teaching position, said she took great comfort in support groups such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s Townsville branch and Kangatraining Townsville after the births of her two children.

“I suffered postnatal depression after the births of both my children and reaching out to the ABA helped a lot,” she said. “I was also introduced to Kangatraining after Emerson’s birth, which was a great help as well.”

Ms McKey said she started Kangatraining, which is dubbed baby-wearing aerobics, as a tool to help overcome postnatal depression.

Ms McKey loved Kangatraining so much she took over the business and now offers it to other postnatal women.

“Working so closely with women, and helping them postnatally is such a joy for me,” the qualified postnatal fitness instructor said.

“Kangatraining classes are more than just another postnatal activity, they provide connections between mothers as well as health benefits.

“With Women’s Health Week coming up in September, I think it’s a great opportunity for women to invest in themselves and make sure they don’t put themselves last.”

Go to the Kangatraining Townsville’s Facebook page.

Originally published as How I overcome postnatal depression, a mother explains