Mum who suffered from post natal depression urges other women to get help as she launches art show

A MUM has opened up about post-natal depression, urging sufferers to get help as she launches an exhibtion of art inspired by her battle with the condition.

Mum Amy Clarke said art helped her battle post natal depression

AMY Clarke admits she was in denial when she became severely depressed after giving birth to son Charlie two years ago.

While the Frenchs Forest mum went through the usual checks after having a difficult birth, she said she couldn’t admit how much she was struggling.

“I guess I was aware of it but I knew I wasn’t answering the questions honestly because I didn’t want to worry anybody,” Ms Clarke, 30, said. “I beat myself up on a daily basis, telling myself I wasn’t good enough and spent a lot of time in tears.

“I beat myself up on a daily basis,” said Amy Clarke with her son Charlie. Picture: Ashley Feder

“My anxiety was sky high and I couldn’t bear to leave the house. I felt so much shame about not being able to cope as a mum.

“I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for this little human, shocked by the loss of my freedom and caught up in guilt.”

A point came when the former TV advert producer couldn’t hide her distress anymore and she finally got help via North Sydney-based Gidget Foundation.

Clarke’s images were inspired by her depression

Clarke said she used mandalas to help her get through the ordeal

As well as having counselling and taking medication – after she became so ill that she was almost admitted to hospital – she found comfort in art. Ms Clarke started drawing mandalas – spiritual symbols in a circular formation – to help her cope.

Now she’s holding a show of the works that grew out of the therapy. It opens at the Creative Space at North Curl Curl later this week.

Amy Clarke with her son Charlie. She suffered depression after giving birth. Picture: Ashley Feder

The UK-born artist is also working on a colouring book to help others and is raffling off one of her works for the Gidget Foundation.

Ms Clarke, who is married to Adam, 31, is doing well and has urged new mums to get the help they need.

“Looking for help is the bravest thing you can do,” she said.

Post-natal depression

Affects one in seven women

It’s more than just ’baby blues’ if it last more than two weeks

Talk to you GP, or health worker to get help

Amy’s art show, Open Mind runs from Thursday –July 23 at Creative Space, 105 Abbott Rd, Nth Curl Curl, 10am-4pm , opening night Thursday 6-9pm.