Vision
To prevent postnatal depression in mothers who are at-risk, and to work towards wellness for mothers with existing postnatal depression.
Goals
- Prevent postnatal depression from occurring in mothers who are at-risk wherever possible
- Reduce the severity of postnatal depression and the resulting consequences, eg. Psychiatric hospitalization (separated from baby), attachment issues with baby (and potential consequences of poor attachment for that child including delinquency, learning difficulties, mental illness, addictions, suicide), marriage/relationship breakdown, neglect/abuse of children, harm to baby/others or suicide,removal of children into CYFS care etc.
- Reduce the length of time a mother is depressed, or if chronic, to work towards wellness with that mother
Values
The Symbol of our Logo Metaphor:Picture of an (open) hand holding a bird: “In order to fly we need support”
- The open hand represents Mothers Helpers. It is not closed tightly around the bird because we aim to empower the mother not cause dependency so as to impair her ability to “fly”
- The bird represents the mother that we are supporting. “Flying” might mean something different to every individual. Therefore, it’s important to understand a mother’s goals and to incorporate the whole person ie. physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and cultural wellbeing.
- The five fingers of the hand represents five areas we offer support based on our intrinsic values: Aroha, Family, Community, Knowledge, Resources
Mission
- Mothers Helpers provides a 10 -week recovery programme facilitated by trained professionals – counsellors, social workers, qualified life coaches, psychologists or mental health nurses. The aim is that this programme will be available nationwide as facilitators become available – particularly focusing on areas that do not already have support available to mothers with mild-moderate postnatal depression (who do not fit the criteria of Maternal Mental Health or Community Mental Health services). Some areas provide this course free of charge, and some only deliver it free of charge to those with a Community Services Card able to access WINZ funding. We are working hard to make this programme available free of charge to all women in New Zealand.
- Mothers Helpers would like to provide home help in the form of childcare (with some light housework) to families who are affected by stress or illness including Postnatal Depression. We are concentrating on setting this up in Auckland areas where this is not currently covered by other services such as Parent Aid and hope to gradually increase this service nationwide in areas that do not provide a similar service. This service is not yet available.
