“When I got pregnant unexpectedly with my third child, my husband made it clear that he did not want this baby, and he tried to force me to have an abortion. I refused and he told me that the child would be my responsibility. He kept his word. It was a difficult birth, despite it being at home. He did not support me with the baby and left me to cope with two young children and a newborn baby without any support from him, his family or my family (as my family were all abroad). Soon after, he left the marriage and refused to pay maintenance for the children. I was truly alone.

Quickly, I started suffering from postnatal depression, which started escalating. I went to the GP, who was not very helpful and did not offer any support. I tried to get help several times as I was starting to have suicidal thoughts.

Eventually, I was seen by a locum GP who was simply brilliant. She cancelled her other patients that afternoon and just listened to me. She held me whilst I cried. She arranged a Community Psychiatric Nurse to come and see me at home. She ensured I would come back and see her the following week. She was there for me when I could not see a way forward anymore. The psychiatric nurse came every week for several months. She was able to help me see a future for me and my children. She listened to me, she supported me, she helped me move forward. It taught me not to give up if you ask for help and you don’t get it at first. Keep asking, keep looking, help is out there for you.”