Postnatal Distress Support Network, Auckland

Monday 9th December 2013

Media Release: Postnatal Distress Support Network, Auckland

A charity gala luncheon aimed at raising funds for The Postnatal Distress Support Network is thrilled to announce Dame Jenny Shipley as keynote speaker.

"We are so excited to have Dame Shipley on board given her past personal experience of postnatal depression” said Emma Green, Support Worker at the Network.

Another bonus is Robyn Malcolm’s involvement as the MC for the luncheon, which takes place at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Wednesday 11th December at 12 noon.

"Robyn has played some iconic mothers and she is on her own mothering journey as well. She's not afraid of the issue of postnatal distress, she's very relatable and down to earth and we're really looking forward to working with her, both at the lunch and in the future, to raise the profile of postnatal mental health issues” said Ms Green.

“We have had amazing support from sponsors and people have been incredibly generous, particularly BNZ, and also the recently established Flight Centre Foundation who have donated a 5-star Fiji break for two”. All the prizes will be auctioned on the day to raise funds for the organisation’s work supporting mothers experiencing postnatal distress. Other auction items include golf at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, beauty products and a walk-on part in Shortland Street.

The idea for the luncheon came after the Support Network received help with their strategic planning as part of BNZ's Closed for Good.

Kevin McLean, partner in BNZ's Private Bank, was instrumental in securing Dame Shipley to speak at the lunch as well as helping to organise the event with his daughter, Sarah Alexander. Dame Shipley will speak about her life before and after politics, and about her involvement with China. Sir Bob Harvey will also speak, bringing an often overlooked male perspective on the challenges of parenting.

Around 15-20% of women will experience postnatal depression or anxiety, including birth trauma. Women are twice as likely to experience mental health problems in the first year after having a baby than at any other time in their lives. Around 10% of men will experience depression or anxiety postnatally as well. The lunch is aimed at raising awareness of the issue of postnatal distress, as well as funds for the organisation.

“We are so thrilled to have the support of Dame Shipley, Ms Malcolm and Sir Harvey, and a very big thank you to our sponsors, who include the Flight Centre Foundation, Kauri Cliffs, Yachting New Zealand and Mount Riley Wines” added Ms Green, “most of all, our gratitude goes to BNZ for their support and particularly to Kevin and Sarah for their hard work, without them this would not have been possible".

The lunch features 3 courses and wine, all overlooking the stunning Waitemata at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. A limited number of tickets are still available for the luncheon, phone 836 6967.

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