David Smith knows first hand how important the work that Lifeline it does.
As a new mother to a baby who was constantly fussy, she came up with every possible excuse not to be able to leave the house.
“I think people always seem to think that postnatal depression she’s sitting in the corner and crying and not being able to move, or not being able to get out of bed,” he told 9Honey.
“And it is for some people, but for me, I had every excuse possible for not being able to leave the house.”
READ MORE: Maddi heard a stranger’s voice at 3 a.m. while holding her babies.
Smith had a screaming baby in the car, in the carrier, and in the stroller, so she wouldn’t go out.
“Suddenly, I was looking at Bub and realizing that she hadn’t left the house for over 20 days straight, and I was locking myself in a bedroom with blackout curtains on a bouncing ball trying to get her to sleep and thinking. ‘Okay, maybe one day like that, but 20 days like that is not normal.”
When she realized she needed help, she turned to Lifeline.
“That moment in my life when I called Lifeline was one of the most desperate, lowest, and loneliest moments of my life,” he explained.
“I can still hear that woman’s voice in my ear. I don’t know who she is, she’s a stranger but she saved my life and I will always be grateful for that.”
That’s why she is a Lifeline ambassador, because she knows what they do every day.
Postpartum can be a really difficult time in your life and can have a big impact on your mental health.
“I can still hear that woman’s voice in my ear…she’s a stranger but she saved my life.”
“It’s difficult because what you think is simply postpartum blues and you hear people talk about anxiety and depression, but they present themselves in many different ways, particularly for new moms and dads,” she said.
“I just think the more you talk about it and share experiences, the more empowering it is, at least it has been for me.”
READ MORE: New mom Nicole thought she had ‘postpartum blues’
Talking about her own journey with postpartum depression wasn’t something that came easily to Smith.
“I was very scared at first, talking about my experience because I thought people would think I was weak, that I couldn’t cope and that I was a bad mother,” she explained.
“Actually, it’s exactly the opposite. You find strength in speaking up and realizing that you are not alone.
“And then as you get better and get out of that phase of your life, you know that your story is helping others who are in the trenches.”
READ MORE: Doctor’s Number One Tip for a Mom’s Postpartum Problems
Postpartum can be overwhelming at times and Davina’s only message to mothers going through it is to talk.
“Don’t sit in silence, don’t sit there and suffer. Talk to someone and keep talking until someone realizes exactly how you feel and how serious it is, whether it’s a partner, a parent or a friend,” said. .
“You will find someone who will listen to you because it is more common than you think, and sitting in silence is not going to make you feel better, it is not going to help you heal.”
Smith, who also works with The Gidget Foundationbelieves we should also do more to care for new mothers, when the focus is often on the baby.
“One day can be great and the next day can be terrible,” he said.
“We all know what it’s like because as a new parent, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions.”
Raising awareness and supporting Lifeline is why Davina participates in the Push-up challenge.
“I thought this would be a really nice way to help and support what they are doing, raise awareness and raise vital money,” he explained.
The challenge begins on June 5 and participants will perform 3,249 push-ups (that number represents the number of lives lost in Australia to suicide each year) over three weeks.
“We’ve seen demand for Lifeline services lately, which had its busiest weekend on record a few weeks ago,” he said.
“I just believe strongly in what they do. It’s a crucial service and they literally save lives.”
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 either Beyond the blue. In case of emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).
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