Have you been to a postpartum depression support group meeting?

[guestmama9906]

May I ask what you did, what it was like, did you cover a topic?

We have scheduled our first meeting (with the blessings of the KC mental health dept) for April 28th. I'm trying to organize the meeting so that it runs something like an LLL meeting, with a topic, but also lots of discussion and support.

I'd like some feedback, information, etc, if anyone here has been to such a meeting.

Thank you so much in advance!

[kaydee]

I went to one, and it was really, really intense.

There were three of us who were in the thick of very deep depression (one had just come out of a long hospital stay). There were two who were in a less acute phase, but who were still struggling

IIRC (my memory of that time is poor), we went over a few handouts about PPD, and mostly went around and did sharing for the rest of the time.

It was good to meet other people struggling with the same issues, and to see that some people had improved. It was also good to have a social worker as a leader (given how acute some of us were, I think a peer leader would not have been great).

I didn't go back, though, as it was far away and I didn't get enough out of it to make it worth the trip. I think I did better in individual therapy. A group might have been good for me in a less acute phase.

Good luck with the group!

[guestmama9906]

Yes, I understand about the peer thing. Unfortunately, there is NO support group in our county at all for moms suffering PPD (and our county is the size of Massachusetts, no kidding). We are just trying to do our best!

Thank you so much for your input, I'm not having much luck with getting feedback and I want to make sure that the first meeting makes everyone feel safe and comfortable.

[kaydee]

Originally Posted by cicerosum

Yes, I understand about the peer thing. Unfortunately, there is NO support group in our county at all for moms suffering PPD (and our county is the size of Massachusetts, no kidding). We are just trying to do our best!

Isn’t it frustrating that, despite the prevalence of PPD (and the dangers it poses), there isn’t more money for groups, counseling, and education?

I think it’s great you are putting together a support group, and see a lot of values in peer-led groups. I think trying to keep things structured, at least at the beginning of the section, would be good.

This gives people the chance to ease into the group and each other. Do you have some handouts or a plan for introductions?

Handing out resource sheet with information about community programs, hotlines, books, and websites could be useful, along with some information about PPD. I think it is especially important to let people know that it will pass!

After this info-sharing part, going around and having people share as much as they are comfortable seems in order. You can help make sure

Oh—the very first thing you will need to do is to assure people that what they say is confidential, and remind them that they need to respect the confidentiality of the other members. However, as group leader, you may have the legal duty to report if you think someone is a danger to themselves or others (a very real possibility with PPD).

Are you being supervised or advised by a licensed mental health professional? If not, I urge you to try and find someone to fill that role for you. You may have people in very acute condition, and it would be good to have someone to discuss this with. You may also want to have this person be there for you, to help you manage your stress facilitating the group.

I don’t mean to scare you with that recommendation—I’d just hate to see you get in over your head and not have a place to turn for professional advice.

How are you publicizing your group? I remember how terribly frustrating it was for me when I was searching for resources during my PPD. They were so hard to find!

You are filling a very real need!