Samantha Valentine first wrote for The Early Hour while in the grips of postnatal depression. Now, a year on, she discusses the difficult journey she’s been on towards a recovery, of sorts….
mental health
Wellbeing
“My husband found me in the foetal position on the bathroom floor, hyperventilating. There was snot and spit running down my chin. I was pulling my hair. I felt like the water was coming in over my head.” Cat Sims on the reality of suffering with anxiety…
Family
“When a man expects his partner to ask him to do things, he’s viewing her as the manager of household chores.” This brilliant comic strip – You Should’ve Asked – illustrates how overwhelming the mental load can be for women…
Wellbeing
As a parent, the excuse for everything is: I just don’t have the time. That goes for exercise, reading a novel, ‘me-time’. So we’ve come up with 10 daily activities that will only take up five minutes of your time, but will make you feel amazing…
Wellbeing
Kerry Bartlett had her first child aged 21 and suffered with severe postnatal depression. To get through it, she focused on her new career as a freelance photographer. Here, she discusses her struggles and how she overcame them…
Wellbeing
A mother whose son suffered with an eating disorder, gaming addiction and depression during his teenage years is now helping other parents of children with mental health issues. We spoke to her about blaming herself and keeping it all secret…
Wellbeing
Becoming a mum for the first time can be lonely and isolating. Especially if you don’t have a partner, or your own mother to help out. Aimee Foster opens up about the early days with her daughter, feeling as if her life had been turned on its head…
Wellbeing
Samantha Valentine was recovering well after childbirth until she started bleeding heavily. Following emergency surgery for a postpartum haemorrhage, Samantha developed PTSD and is now in the grips of postnatal depression. She talks us through her daily thoughts…
Wellbeing
Robyn Wilder left London for Kent while heavily pregnant, quit her job at Buzzfeed and found herself struggling to cope at home with a new baby. We talk mental health, having a second baby and freelancing with young kids…
Wellbeing
When Sally Bunkham’s second daughter was born, just a year after her first, she started to struggle. With a constantly crying baby, Sally was exhausted and began self-harming – until a doctor diagnosed postnatal depression, which brought surprising relief…