Hey mummaโs,
I hope that you are doing well!? And looking forward to May 17th when things ease a bit more
Mental Health Awareness Month 2021 is this month (May 2021). Please take your time to read this blog post as this is a very important subject.
I think that as mothers, it is important that we talk about mental health, which appears to be a taboo to speak about- especially when you are a mother. This is actually crazy considering 1 in 4 people suffer from a mental illness.
Are you a mother who has dealt with mental health issues prior to or post becoming a mother? Are you a mother who has suffered from post-natal depression? How safe do you feel speaking about this?
Maternal mental health does exist and 1 in 10 women are said to develop mental illnesses during this time. As you can imagine, this does not have a positive impact on women and families.
I did some research and women of colour are more vulnerable then their white counterparts. To clarify, all women of every race meet challenges in mental health however, during pregnancy and post, women of colour are said to be particularly vulnerable. Why is this?
One thing Iโve learnt about mental health is that we all have mental health but what we donโt want, is poor mental health. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health!!!
As mothers are we looking after our mental health? In fact, there is a stigma already around mental health generally but dads, how are you looking after your mental health? Being a man does not mean that you also do not suffer from mental health.
With over a year of uncertainty and being indoors with our lives changing; with new additions- please Do Not for any reason feel unjustified for how you feel. Your feelings are valid.
Personally, on becoming a new mother I have had anxious moments- a very short episode of baby blues at the start, yes. I believe that this is normal and I will not be ashamed as being a parent is daunting. I sometimes feel guilty for having my โdaysโ as I want to be the best mother ever to my daughter; as she deserves the Very Best- but this pressure to be a great parent sometimes leaves me overthinking. Can you relate? What is your experience since being a new parent?

Despite all this, I have listed some things below which could help:
- The theme of this months mental health awareness month is NATURE. Getting out for fresh air has been a coping strategy for many with everything thatโs been happening around the world. I recommend walks (I should walk more) on your own and with baby!
- Working out. I currently love home workouts but gyms are also open so do what suits you best!
- Self care: whatever this may be for you i.e. reading a book, a bubble bath (take a break from the news and anything too stressful!) etc
- Speaking to someone you trust and who you will not feel judged by, about how you feel
- Do not compare yourself to another mother or your child/ children to thereโs! We all grow at our own pace
- Practice gratitude, pray
- I recognise that not everyone has the luxury of additional support so you could also seek help via hotlines, your health visitor and/ or GP
- The maternal mental health alliance page (Google search) is also a good page to check out

Please remember that people who need help, often do not look like they do. You are not ridiculous for feeling how you do! Getting help is better than not getting help. Being a parent is not the easiest job.
Please note that I am also available to speak to and I hope this blog post helps you. If you would like to speak to me, please contact me on: angelaa@anjtalks.com
#journeytorecovery #maternalmhmatters #mentalhealthawarenessmonth
With love,
ANJ TALKS โก
Big, big topic!! Big up yourself for openly talking about your difficulties and encouraging others to do the same, it’s so necessary! I ain’t a parent yet but I know how challenging, yet rewarding, the role can be. Keep these coming โค
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This is a crucial topic you have touched on and clearly shows you are already doing an amazing job as a mother! Looking forward to your next blog post ๐๐ฝ
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Thank you so much Funke! I really appreciate it hun๐๐พ๐๐พโฅ๏ธ
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Well put Angela, thanks for sharing baby blue is real, but donโt forget family network and support is there. Mummies in the house, Please speak up
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Thank you Aunty! Indeed, using the resources that you have around you is very important ๐๐พ๐๐พโฅ๏ธ
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thanks for this sis…….more understanding โฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธ
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Thank you hun!๐๐พโฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธ
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Great! Well-done dear. A wonderful write up!!! Please keep it up!
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Thank you Aunty!๐ค
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Love this! Becoming a mother during a pandemic hasnโt been easy! Although Iโve managed to keep my mental health at bay during these difficult times, it has been very challenging at times. Having little support from family due to the circumstances has been quite hard.
Daily walks and keeping in close contact with family and friends has been a huge help to me.
Love this blog! Keep them up mummy!โค๏ธโค๏ธ
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Thank you babe. I echo what you have said regarding becoming a mother during a pandemic, it has not been easy at all! We can only do our best! You are doing a great job, well done you! โฅ๏ธโฅ๏ธ
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Absolutely amazing. Well done mama.๐ฏ
This is truly needed. As a mom this is one of the things we donโt actually talk about but rather we suffer with it in silence. Glad we are finally putting this out there… continue to thrive ๐๐๐ฝ
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Nice one mummy! โฃ๏ธ๐
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Thanks sis!๐๐พ
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Thank you for sharing, I can relate as a mum of three it is vey daunting and I want to be the best mum. I realised that In other to be the best I will take it one day at a time.
I reflect on my day and ask myself questions like, Did I do the best I can ?
How can I do better tomorrow?
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Taking things one step at a time and reflection is definitely key. Thank you for sharing ๐๐พโฅ๏ธ
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Thank you for sharing! Very insightful and informative read.
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Thank you Dan!๐ค๐ฅฐ
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Thank you for sharing and enlightening others who may need support โค๏ธโค๏ธ
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Thank you sis!โฅ๏ธ
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Well done mummy Hope … More of this please .๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐๐
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Thank you Daddy Hope ๐๐พ
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Important message about an often neglected subject and really good tips๐
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Thanks bro!๐๐พ
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Becoming a mum was one of the most challenging things Iโve ever done. The first few months were so difficult and I felt awful for not really enjoying it. Now Iโve come out of it I realise how โblueโ my baby blues really were.
Talking about it and going for walks everyday helped me tremendously ๐๐ป
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Thank you for your comment hun! I totally get you. Well done, you are doing a great job!๐๐พโฅ๏ธ
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Thank you anj for the tips.
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Your welcome hun๐๐พ๐
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