Mums get a pampering

LISMORE'S Northern Rivers Family Care Centre treated over 40 new parents to a pampering session yesterday morning, as a way to raise awareness of postnatal depression.

The event, which was a part of Postnatal Depression Awareness Week, gave the parents a chance to get morning tea and a massage, and to learn about the common parental problem of depression.

"A lot of it is about letting people know what postnatal depression is, and how they can get help," said Cati Smith, the Centre's Program Manager.

According to Ms Smith, postnatal depression is a common problem that can affect as many as one in three mothers, and some fathers, but the morning may have helped with that issue.

"It's a lovely opportunity for us to bring parents together and pamper them, when they need a little bit of TLC themselves," she said.

Megan Ensbey attended the event with her son Riley, and said that she appreciated getting out of the house and meeting with other parents.

"It's a good day to get out and talk to the other mothers, and if you have any questions, they might have advice on how to deal with it," she said.

The event wasn't just for mothers though. Stewart Crowley went with his daughter Emma, and believed that it is important for fathers to attend events like this.

"It's good for the kids to get with other kids, and it's good to get with other parents, and realise you're not doing it on your own," he said.

According to Ms Smith, the Family Care Centre has helped about 10,000 families in its 10 years of operation, and is managed by the North Coast NSW Medicare Local and the Northern NSW Local Health District.