Hannah Hardy-Jones of The Kite Program / postpartum bipolar disorder, recovery, second child, healing birth Artwork

Motherness

Motherness is a podcast dedicated to sharing mindful and empowering interviews with modern mothers and professional experts, brought to you by Skye Ross. Together, we’re shining a light on the realness of raising babies and life postpartum, from the first newborn moments to the months following and the years beyond. Motherness is an honest and empowering resource to help educate and inform parents through these diverse stories of motherhood.

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Motherness

Hannah Hardy-Jones of The Kite Program / postpartum bipolar disorder, recovery, second child, healing birth

August 27, 2020 • Skye Ross • Season 1 • Episode 30

This episode of Motherness is proudly sponsored by Mildred&Co. Mildred&Co is a lovingly curated baby and wedding gift registry and everyday gift store.

Trigger warning: this episode details bipolar disorder, mania, depression, anxiety, and other topics around mental illness. If any of these themes are triggering for you, please take care while you're listening. If you're worried about your own mental health or that of someone you love, call 0800 LIFELINE (0800 543 354).

Today’s guest is Hannah Hardy-Jones, a beautiful māmā and founder of The Kite Program who was diagnosed with postpartum bipolar disorder after the birth of her first child, Alice.

I saw a post on Hannah’s Instagram of her daughter, Alice holding a drawing that says ‘My Mum helps mums.” I felt it so greatly. "My mum helps mums." And she does.

I knew seeing that photo and having this korero with Hannah that this episode was the perfect one to end season one of Motherness on. Ultimately, that’s my hope for Motherness too. Mums helping mums. Holding space and compassion for each other and honouring our journeys, as challenging, as beautiful, and as different as they all may be.

So, here’s Hannah for you today on all that she went through with her rare and crippling mental illness, her road to recovery, bravely choosing to have another child, the healing, the learning and the creation that has come from what she describes a Kite once damaged beyond repair. But now? Hannah has rebuilt her Kite and it is soaring.

Mental health support services:

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa
depression.org.nz or 0800 111 757
Mental Health Foundation
Parent Help - 0800 568 856
Anxiety Phone Line - 0800 269 4389
PlunketLine - 0800 933 922
For a referral to Maternal Mental Health please contact your midwife or GP
Mental Health Crisis services (for emergencies only)

Follow Hannah Hardy-Jones on Instagram. Visit The Kite Program.

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