Healing

[Pinktree67]

Hi Everyone hope your all doing OK I had PP in November 2021 I've been doing well in the community and I'm due to be discharged this December my community support worker has been invaluable we've been meeting every 2-4 weeks to talk about how I'm doing for the last 3 years I feel very emotional about this relationship coming to an end it only feels right I get her a thank you gift but I'm at a lost as to what any one have any ideas ? Flowers doesn't feel like enough and jewellery is too much

Also I'm keen to become a rep for my area there's no meet up locally to me so was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of the training and commitment this involves ? And also how far after your diagnosis you started your training? I don't think I'm quite ready to dive in just right with my own triggers

And finally to anyone reading this I was in a despairing place a couple of years ago healing and recovery is possible 🙏 ❤️

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Pinktree67,

Thank you for posting and welcome to the forum I'm sorry you experienced PP but really glad to hear things are going well for you. Thank you for sharing a message of hope for those who may be struggling at the moment 💜

I'm Jenny, I'm one of APP's peer support coordinators. I had PP back in 2012 after my first son was born. I think it's quite an individual thing when people feel they are ready to support others or share their experiences. I'd be very happy to have a chat with you - if you email us at [e-mail] I can get in touch with you from there?

It's a lovely idea to get your community support work a gift. How about a plant or a little vase (with some flowers but a vase she could keep), or I always find nice ideas on Etsy I'm sure she'd appreciate whatever you decide on, however small, it's such a nice thought.

Thank you again for reaching out and joining our community

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[Pinktree67 in reply to Jenny_at_APP]

Thank you 😊

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Pinktree67, congratulations on your discharge from the community team, that is a milestone. What a lovely idea to say thank you to your community support worker. Something for the house is a nice idea, otherwise something she may use in her job, like a nice journal. I like Jenny's idea of checking out Etsy, I find a lot of lovely stuff there too. Take good care,

Maria

[Zebunisa_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Pinktree67 ,

I’m sure you’ve found all their support rather valuable over the years. Some gift ideas: thank you gift/hamper, chocolates, flowers, personalised cupcakes. I’d say first choose a budget and then google some thank you gifts to get an idea.

I had my baby in July 2021 and was diagnosed with Postpartum psychosis, it took me a good few years to recover and I’d say even now I am in recovery but I started working with APP on April 2022. I started conversations with APP in the beginning of 2022 and by mid 2022 I was a peer support worker and have been ever since. You could get in touch with APP via email, set up a meeting/conversation and go from there. Like Jenny said, send us an email.

Thank you for sharing your words and positivity 💜

[Rkmummy Volunteer]

hi pinktree67

I’m glad you’re doing so well and are being discharged. I know I was about 18 month afterwards when I was discharged from all services, that in itself can be difficult but use everything they have taught you.

I had ppp back in 2016 with the birth of my daughter, went on to have a son in 2020 (didn’t get ppp) and last year became a peer support worker with app.

I know how you feel, it’s too raw right now to be able to cope with having to support someone else who is going through similar to what you have been through. I felt the same as you, I knew I wanted to help but knew it was too soon. There’s no definite answer to when it’s the right time, but you will know when it is.

Take care

Rachel

[SaffFree Volunteer]

For a gift idea, maybe an engraved like a vase or pen with a little message from you? Something sentimental for her to keep 🙂

[NMG1991]

Hi Pinktree67,

I love personalised things. For example if she drinks wine maybe a personalised wine glass would be nice. Sorry if this isn't your thing, just an idea to put forward.

I had pp in December 2021. With regards to seeing someone every 2-4 weeks, that's incredible. With me I was discharged from the perinatal team when my Son turned one. I was still struggling at the time and being discharged to my GP really didn't help as my GP wasn't fully aware of the illness and how bad things got for me with the illness and they left me to it not realising I still very much needed support. I struggled for a long time not getting the treatment I still needed. I tried to come off the medication myself and failed miserably and fell into a depressive state. I'm still on medication. I referred myself to my local mental health team and begged them for help - they've been great but I do want to be off medication and back to my usual happy self as I believe it may be a reason why I'm depressed.

Sorry for the long response but I just wanted to applaud the treatment you've got. We all need that support after something like this. X

[Survivedwithcolor]

I’m very happy to hear you’re recovered and doing well! I wasn’t ever truly “discharged” from mental health care, because with bipolar 2 I’ve continued to see a therapist and psychologist over the years. It helps me have someone objective to monitor how I’m doing and helps keep my mental health in good condition. However, I’ve moved several times over the years and had to leave my therapists at those times. I’m fairly artistic and what I did was draw a picture for them and have it framed. It was kind of personalized, not amazing art, but maybe something we had talked about together or something we mutually liked. For instance one of my therapists had horses so I did portraits of her horses in colored pencil. Another one liked the beach. If a whole picture sounds too intimidating, try just a 4”x4” canvas or paper in a small frame. You can do a small bunch of flowers or a heart with a saying you like, or a sunshine or beach or something pretty simple. If you like to sew maybe a small embroidery, cross stitch or quilt square. All my therapists seemed to love these or so they said. I realize everyone doesn’t have experience doing this but thought I’d give you that idea.

[Pinktree67]

Thank you that's a lovely idea