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LittleBug
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Joined: 29 July 2007
Location: Dunedin
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Topic: MMH Posted: 25 April 2008 at 12:47pm |
Ok, so can anyone tell me anything about Maternal Mental Health? What exactly do they do? And how do you get involved with them?
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Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years).
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HippyMama
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Joined: 15 January 2008
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Posted: 25 April 2008 at 3:54pm |
Your GP can usually refer you to MMH and then someone from MMH will contact you for a quick chat, and go from there.
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Mama to two earth walkers & two angels.
Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz
Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !!
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Kellz
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Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: Gisborne
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Posted: 25 April 2008 at 6:56pm |
They can do what u need. Counselling, in some areas home help is available, phycologsist etc.
Im pretty sure u can self refer, by phoning the hospital Community Mental Health Unit, or else see you GP or plunket nurse who will have further info.
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MummyFreckle
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Joined: 08 February 2007
Location: Auckland
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Posted: 25 April 2008 at 7:07pm |
I dont know about Dunedin, but I have just been through the "system" in Auckland. I waited quite a while to get an appointment from the time that my GP referred me, about 4 weeks and then I had to reschedule due to illness and they were a bit funny with me (made me feel quite guilty about rescheduling...). I was very very nervous about going to see them, as have never been to a counsellor or anything like that before so didnt know what to expect. Am happy to share experience of the actual visit via PM if that will help or will put you an ease a little. Just let me know.
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Maya
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Location: Sydney
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Posted: 25 April 2008 at 9:54pm |
I got a referral from my GP, she warned me it could take up to 6 weeks to hear from them but within a couple of weeks someone had called and they talked to me about things a bit then made an appt for about 6 weeks away. While I was waiting for the appt they called me about once a week to see how I was doing and ended up bringing my appt forward coz I was struggling a bit.
The first appt was with a psychiatrist and my "key worker" who is the person I liaise with if I have any problems. Then we made a plan from there and I've been seeing a psychologist once a week, plus I have a respite carer come in once a week to help with the girls.
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
  The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
 Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
 Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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LittleBug
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Location: Dunedin
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Posted: 26 April 2008 at 10:34am |
SimSam, would be great to hear about your experience.
It sounds like it's something I should possibly be looking into... but I am totally scared that they will think I am an unfit mother  I mean, I haven't done anything harmful or anything, I would never hurt my little girl, and I always try to put on a smile around her etc. but I'm scared that with a history of cutting and stuff, they will treat me funny. I haven't hurt myself in any way, for several years, but I do think about it quite a bit again now  but I can't stand the thought of hurting my little girl by hurting myself. I am just terrified that they will be afraid of me hurting Chloe and try to take her away or something. I don't really know how it all works.
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Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years).
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khhast
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Joined: 25 January 2008
Location: Palmerston North
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Posted: 28 April 2008 at 9:13am |
Don't worry, they won't take her away or think of you as an unfit mother, but they will give you the support you need to help you not feel like you need to harm yourself to cope (or anything else destructive). They will help you manage when you're struggling.
Hugs
Edited by khhast
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Maya
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Location: Sydney
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Posted: 28 April 2008 at 7:35pm |
I've never felt judged, altho I must admit I do feel a bit funny talking about the attachment issues that I've had with the gremlins, like they think I am selfish or cold or something. But my psychologist has been really constructive and supportive which has helped a lot.
More big hugs!
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
  The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
 Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
 Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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porcelina
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Posted: 07 May 2008 at 9:14pm |
I've decided I had better ring the Waikato MMH tomorrow and self-refer. It's really really tough as the prozac isn't working and so I am being weaned off that onto citalopram which is what usually works for me, but I can't even start the citalopram for a few weeks (with a week of nothing in between) then the wait while it kicks in  I have no idea what the waiting list is like but it would be really nice to have someone to talk to.
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porcelina
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Posted: 17 May 2008 at 12:25pm |
Hey peoples, I just got a letter today for my first appointment and someone is coming to see me at my house (is this normal? I was expecting to go somewhere!)
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Maya
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Location: Sydney
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Posted: 17 May 2008 at 2:02pm |
Yup! But they don't have to if you don't want them too, I prefer to go to them so they don't see my tip of a house! I suspect they will be doing home visits after baby arrives tho
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
  The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
 Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
 Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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porcelina
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Posted: 28 May 2008 at 3:46pm |
Just had my appointment, the social worker was really nice. She's recommending I increase my meds as there's still a bit of silly thoughts and forgetfulness and anxiety .... stuff I haven't noticed til she asked questions and I thought about it!
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MrsSmith
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Posted: 17 July 2008 at 11:15pm |
MMH are fantastic. I've been with them with both my girls.
You do need to tell them your problems and what you would like, e.g. frequency of phone calls and home visits, mothercraft helpers, inhome respite care. They will do everything they can, and what they think is right for you at the time. Some key workers will need you to tell them what help you think you need, so they go in the right direction. They are trained in mental health and are there for Mums, so they have seen it all before. Some key workers may help with relaxation tools, CBT, coping strategies etc.
They can put you in touch with other organisations and groups in the community too. That helps as MMH are supposed to be there for you until your baby is 12 months old.
You don't have to do all this by yourself - there are people out there that will and can help. They can help you through your worries and fears.
Edited by MrsSmith
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