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About Us
Our Current Team
Currently we have four part time paid employees (Meegan Hirst – Support Group Facilitator, Wendy Taylor – Network Coordinator, Diana Edwards and Tracey Beazely – Child Care Workers) and eight volunteer board members.
We offer free support to women and their families who have; baby blues, antenatal and postnatal distress (PND), antenatal and postnatal depression (PND), anxiety, stress and birth trauma.
Meegan Hirst – Support Group Facilitator
Hi, I have two sons, 14 years old and 12 years old and a six year old step son. I experienced postnatal depression with my second son. I attended the Post Natal Distress Support Group and have now been the facilitator for 11 years.
I went on to complete a Certificate in Community Skills, through Unitec. Of recent years I have become a trained certified Journey Practioner. As well as facilitating the support group for PND Support.
I also offer one on one Journey counselling work from my home in West Auckland. There is a cost involved for this. Visit www.thejourney.com if you are interested.
Wendy Taylor – Network Coordinator
I had postnatal depression with both of my sons now 5 years old and 3.5 years old. I was first affected when my oldest son was about 4 months old. I ended up on anti-depressants, after trying to manage the illness on my own with alternative treatments.
When I found the Post Natal Distress Support Group my youngest son was about 13 months old, it was a turning point in my recovery. Now I am at the point where I don’t really get depressed anymore, I have my own interests that I am motivated about and I enjoy everyday life, and I am working again!
Our History
The Post Natal Distress Support Network Trust was established in 1993, following a steering committee meeting and then a public forum which highlighted the need for a support group in Auckland. The Trust was founded by PND survivor Mrs Lesley Farmer together with Elaine Underwood, Kathy Anderson, Racel Nelson and Olive O’Brien. Strong support and a home base in those days, was provided by Henderson House, Plunket and WADCOSS (West Auckland District Council of Social Services).
Financial support and seedling grants for our voluntary organisation were initially provided by Eli Lilley, Mental Health, Community Funding Agency and NZ Lotteries. The first support group, pamphlets and research got underway in 1994, at West Auckland’s Plunket Headquarters, Henderson.