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A new website has been launched to help local postnatal depression sufferers and their families.
The site, created by the Guernsey Postnatal Depression Support Group, offers insight into how the condition develops and how it can affect the whole family.
Andrea Dudley-Owen, chair of the charity’s committee, said as well as the devastating effects on mothers, the knock-on effects of PND on other members of the family such as the fathers and children can often go unnoticed.
"Our new website gives an insight into how this is a whole family condition and that without swift intervention it can irreparably damage the family and the bonds within that family," she said.
"We hope that it will fulfil two main functions: firstly to help those suffering from the effects of PND, to equip them with more information about the condition and let them know about the help available on and off-island. Secondly, it will also be a vital tool in raising awareness amongst the community about the condition, so that we can de-stigmatise and therefore encourage more women to get help earlier."
Ms Dudley-Owen and Sarah Barbsy, executive secretary, have used their professional expertise in marketing and website set up, by drafting the content and pulling together information and links into a cohesive and readable format. The site and artwork were provided by local design agency, Two Degrees North, with financial assistance from the Guernsey based bank, ABN Amro.
"We would like to thank ABN Amro and Two Degrees North for their kind support of this project. Without such help, providing this vital resource would not have been possible," said Ms Dudley-Owen.
ABN Amro’s managing director, Graham Thoume, added: "As a family-orientated firm, ABN Amro was interested to hear from the group about the lack of resources in Guernsey to support those affected by postnatal depression. The bank wanted to do what it could to ensure that there was somewhere people could go to for information and to access the help they need."
GPND provides peer support services for those suffering from the effects of PND, including wider family members who are affected. You can reach the charity by calling 01481 520657 or emailing pndguernsey@gmail.com. The charity operates a closed Facebook group as a forum for confidential discussion, as well as hosting regular coffee meetings at Caritas Café.
The new website can be found at http://guernseypnd.org/
