Improving Maternal Mental Health

By our Student Intern, Yuvi

A mother’s love is an unconditional beauty that is often hard to express. It is often the case that our mother’s efforts are carried out behind closed doors, and may go unnoticed, which ironically (and unfortunately) reminds us of maternal mental health. A struggle that so often goes unnoticed. This Mother’s Day, Harbour Therapy Clinic wishes to increase awareness of the importance of maternal mental health by integrating the theme of mental health into gift ideas that aren’t subject to holidays, but instead, any time of the year.

Mental health problems are becoming increasingly common, particularly in mothers. Worldwide, over 10% of pregnant women and 13% of new mothers experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. As motherhood is a full-time job, symptoms of mental health issues are commonly undiagnosed, or swept under the rug. We encourage mums, daughters and friends to keep an eye out for symptoms of depression and anxiety that may be prevalent, including:

• Poor sleep
• Fatigue
• Sadness
• Irritability
• No Energy
• Loss of interest
• Poor appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Burning out
  
  

Here at Harbour Therapy Clinic, we encourage you to embrace maternal mental health awareness and be mindful and spread love to all mothers and women, not just on Mother’s Day, but every chance you get. Cherish your mum, the mothers around you, and just as importantly, yourself, with these thoughtful gifts, perfect for anytime of the year.

• Free time: This one is a great gift for a loved one, or yourself. Too often, we lack free time. Free time can be a way we reinvigorate ourselves, gain mental clarity, or treat ourselves to acts of kindness. If your mum, or a mother you know is lacking free time due to child responsibilities, or taking on too much load, offer to watch their children, or try to alleviate some of their responsibilities and prompt them to take some time out for themselves. Whether they run errands that will help them feel less stress, take a walk, go to a yoga class, or get a massage - some free time goes a long way. That goes for yourself too. Set aside some time to do something you’ve been meaning to do, or something that you know will help you feel more relaxed and refreshed.

 

• Surprise flowers: Cliché, sure! Effective? YES! Receiving flowers is always nice on occasions, but it’s even nicer as a random ‘I was thinking of you’ gift. For extra thought, chose their favourite colour! This gift goes for yourself as well… if you see some fresh blooms that take your breath away, go ahead and grab them to enjoy.

 

• A home cooked meal: Cooking someone (or yourself) a wholesome meal is the ultimate way to show care. Cook your mum a nostalgic meal she cooked for you as a child, or find a recipe you’ve been meaning to try yourself and give it a go. As they say, there’s nothing like a home cooked meal.
  
  
• Photo gifts: Personalised gifts are the best way to capture beautiful and happy memories for your mum, and a sweet way to keep cherished memories alive for yourself. Some of the best frames we’ve found are at charity stores, and most of the time, they make the memory you’re capturing feel even richer! Next time you’re near an op-shop, why not head in and find a beautiful antique frame.
  
  
• Novels, cards or books: Nothing shares the love more than love messages. Write a card expressing your love and gratitude to your mum. Maybe it’s a thank you card for everything she’s done for you. Maybe it’s a note to tell her that even though you don’t always say it, you’re so glad she’s your mum. Perhaps you’re due for some self-reflection and self-gratitude, so why not write a card to yourself. Express how proud you are of everything you’ve accomplished. Thank yourself for carrying you through each day. For your health, and your perseverance. For treating yourself to those flowers last week, and for being strong when you need it. Or maybe you see a book or novel on mindfulness and mental health care you think your mum, mum friend or even you might like to read.
  
  

Whatever you go to, anything that encompasses thought or gratitude is sure to be a winner. We’d love to hear what you think of the ideas above, or even what your ideas are for some thoughtfulness to your loved ones, or yourself.
 
*Statistics provided from the World Health Organisation 2019.