Hannah Hardy-Jones, mental health advocate and CEO of the Kite Program, developed bipolar disorder after the traumatic birth of her daughter. In Part 2, Hannah talks about what inspired her to start Kite to support the mental health of others, the benefits of having bipolar and the hugely positive experience she had with the birth of her second child, Henry.

*TRIGGER WARNING: BI-POLAR DISORDER*

! Apologies for my Siamese cat Brandy miaowing in the background at points !

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[00:00] Teaser quote

[01:03] Introduction to Hannah Hardy-Jones (Part 2)

[02:50] The affect Hannah's bipolar disorder has had on her husband Nick

[04:35] Starting The Kite Program - a beautifully designed, emotionally supportive app for mums and beyond

[08:57] The decision to have a second baby after her traumatic first birth - support in place

[11:10] The risk of having a psychotic episode - nightmares about what could happen

[11:45] A beautiful birth with Henry - immediate connection and a healing experience

[13:01] How Alice's birth gave Hannah the gift of doing what she's doing now - looking back

[14:55] "Can I do this again?" Considering having another baby after trauma or PND

[19:55] The impact on Hannah's daughter Alice

[21:22] "We talk about mental health" - building an emotional toolkit for her daughter

[24:25] "My brain is a different brain" - life since her diagnosis - more creative and confident

[25:50] The benefits of neurodiversity in creativity

[27:05] Hannah's negative views on 'mental health' when she worked in HR, before her lived experience

[30:14] Trying to help other people understand what it feels like - Vikki's experience

[32:54] How looking at Google and forums can be damaging

[34:26] These feelings don't last for ever - you will not always feel this way

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. The pressure to have another child. It's okay not to want to have another child after perinatal illness.
2. However with the right support in place you can have a really successful second birth and not necessarily be affected by mental health issues second time around.
3. Bipolar can actually unlock positive parts of your brain.
4. Don't look at Google or forums for advice, these can be triggering.
5. These feelings are temporary - you will not feel this way for ever.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
7. NHS info on Bipolar Disorder
8. Bipolar UK email: info@bipolaruk.org
9. The Kite Program app

If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.

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Email: bluemumdays@gmail.com

NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE:

In Episode 14 we chat to the hugely inspiring Christina Brown of the Motivational Mums Club, on discovering she was pregnant again within months of having her first child and her subsequent experience of postnatal depression.

SUPPORT:

If you are struggling right now, please know that it’s okay to talk and reach out for help. 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND WILL NOT FEEL THIS WAY FOR EVER. 

We hope these support services are helpful (please note we do not check or monitor them individually).

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP)

Moderated Forum, click here to find out more.

Email: app@app-network.org

Tel: 020 3322 9900

Andy's Man Club

A non-judgemental talking group for men

https://andysmanclub.co.uk/club-information/clubs/

Email: info@andysmanclub.co.uk

Association of Postnatal Illness

Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868

Email: info@apni.org

Live chat online facility

Best Beginnings

Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering

evidence-based information and self-care tools to help parents during pregnancy

and early stages of parenting.

App users also have access to a confidential, text-based Crisis Messenger which provides

24/7 support for new and expectant parents who are feeling extremely anxious or overwhelmed.

Bi-Polar UK

email: info@bipolaruk.org

Birth Trauma Association

Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

CALM

Contact CALM

on their national helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)

Cedar House Support Group

Email: lwise@talktalk.net (Liz Wise)

Mobile: 07773 283556

DadsNet 

Offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.

Fathers Reaching Out

https://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/

Run by Mark Williams, campaigner, speaker and writer, offering support to dads.

The Hub of Hope

A directory of mental health support around the UK.

Make Birth Better (Birth Trauma Support)

Email: hello@makebirthbetter.org

Maternal OCD

Peer support available, email info@maternalocd.org to

arrange

Muslim Women’s Network

Helpine: 0800 999 5786, open Mon-Fri 10am –

4pm with support offered in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Putwari, Hindko,

and Bengali.

Email: info@mwnhelpline.co.uk

Online chat: www.mwnhelpline.co.uk

Text: 07415 206 936

Netmums

Netmums offer peer support via their Maternal Mental Health Drop-In

Clinic.

NHS

Contact your local GP surgery.

Call the NHS on 111

or contact a local NHS urgent mental health helpline

If you are in crisis, visit Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital.

PANDAS

Helpline open from 9am-8pm every day – 0843 2898 401

Email support available – info@pandasfoundation.org.uk

Petals

Petals offers free-of-charge specialist counselling to anyone who has experienced pregnancy

or baby loss.

Web: petalscharity.org/counsellingcontact/

Email: counselling@petalscharity.org

Tel: 0300 688 0068

Samaritans

Tel: 116 123

(this is a free telephone number and will not appear on the phone bill)

Web: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Shout

Text SHOUT to 85258 to start a confidential conversation with a trained Shout volunteer.

Twins Trust

Twinline is Twins Trust’s listening service for parents of twins, triplets and more. All

the calls are answered by volunteers who have multiples themselves.

Twinline is open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and from 7pm to 10pm. 0800 138 0509,

alternatively email asktwinline@twinstrust.org.

Web: twinstrust.org/let-us-help/support/twinline.html

Tommy’s

Tommy’s has a team of in-house midwives who offer free support and information for women and their families at any stage of pregnancy and after the birth.

Web: www.tommys.org

Helpline: Tommy’s

helpline has been closed temporarily but their midwives are answering questions

via email, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Email: midwife@tommys.org

MUSIC by Joseph McDade