https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/supporting-family-and-friends/what-can-i-do-to-be-helpful-for-a-friend-with-post-natal/m-p/73349#M3535 <P>Hi Mrs Sul,</P><P>Thanks for joining the forums. It sounds like you are being a great friend already. You might like to <A href="http://www.beyondblue.org.au/resources/for-me/pregnancy-and-early-parenthood/helping-yourself-and-others/helping-others">check out this section of our website</A> for some further tips, and also our <A href="http://justspeakup.beyondblue.org.au/personal-stories">Just Speak Up website</A> which has stories from mums who have been through postnatal depression, this could give you some more insights.</P><P>It's great that you are staying in touch and have been around to visit. Perhaps you could organise another visit, and suggest ways you'd like to help.&nbsp; You can offer to look after her daughter, or make meals, or maybe take your girlfriend out occasionally so she can get out of the house and take a break.</P><P>Does anyone else have some helpful suggestions?</P> Mon, 28 Apr 2014 01:17:31 GMT Chris_B 2014-04-28T01:17:31Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/supporting-family-and-friends/what-can-i-do-to-be-helpful-for-a-friend-with-post-natal/m-p/73348#M3534 <P>I have a close girlfriend who is suffering quite badly with post natal depression. She has a partner. She has moved back home with her parents for support. The three of them are living there currently. A week after she was diagnoses and moved back home, I took around some food to be reheated and some sweet treats too. I am in contact with her at least once a week via text. Just saying hello, how are you, thinking of you etc.&nbsp;</P> <P>I'm just wondering what else I can do to be helpful? Is there something that I can do that will help her? I know flowers don't help but is that something that might be worthwhile? A plant? More goods? I feel helpless. If she was home is offer to look after her darling daughter for her but as she's at her mums, I do t want to step in toes!!! I'm after anyone with experience who might be able to suggest what they had or wished a friend did for them when they were so low.</P> <P>i want her to know I'm thinking of her and here for her......but actually do something instead of just words. Hope that makes sense!</P> <P>thanks in advance x</P> Sat, 26 Apr 2014 07:59:52 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/supporting-family-and-friends/what-can-i-do-to-be-helpful-for-a-friend-with-post-natal/m-p/73348#M3534 MrsSul 2014-04-26T07:59:52Z https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/supporting-family-and-friends/what-can-i-do-to-be-helpful-for-a-friend-with-post-natal/m-p/73349#M3535 <P>Hi Mrs Sul,</P><P>Thanks for joining the forums. It sounds like you are being a great friend already. You might like to <A href="http://www.beyondblue.org.au/resources/for-me/pregnancy-and-early-parenthood/helping-yourself-and-others/helping-others">check out this section of our website</A> for some further tips, and also our <A href="http://justspeakup.beyondblue.org.au/personal-stories">Just Speak Up website</A> which has stories from mums who have been through postnatal depression, this could give you some more insights.</P><P>It's great that you are staying in touch and have been around to visit. Perhaps you could organise another visit, and suggest ways you'd like to help.&nbsp; You can offer to look after her daughter, or make meals, or maybe take your girlfriend out occasionally so she can get out of the house and take a break.</P><P>Does anyone else have some helpful suggestions?</P> Mon, 28 Apr 2014 01:17:31 GMT https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/supporting-family-and-friends/what-can-i-do-to-be-helpful-for-a-friend-with-post-natal/m-p/73349#M3535 Chris_B 2014-04-28T01:17:31Z