A FIRST of its kind health campaign to raise awareness of perinatal depression has been welcomed by a former sufferer of the debilitating illness.

Mrs Del Bostock, who in 1995 co-founded a helpline for mums suffering from depression after pregnancy, said it was an important step in tackling the widespread condition, which affected her when she was pregnant with both her children. She has also acted as a "voice" for mums on the Maternity Services Liaison Committee.

Mrs Bostock (41), who lives with her husband Andy (44) and two children, Joe (12) and Suzie (9) in Elton, said: "It is a very welcome and important development by the NHS to recognise depression during and after pregnancy.

"It is so important to raise awareness of the services and help available for mums and their families who are going through this illness and feel alone not realising that there is support available to them."

Recently a first of its kind roadshow on perinatal depression rolled into the grounds of Fairfield General Hospital to raise awareness of the services available to those affected by the condition. It was organised by Sure Start Redvales, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Bury Primary Care Trust. Throughout the day, health professionals were on hand to give help and support to visitors.

Midwife Deb Jones said: "Perinatal depression is a condition that affects up to 20 per cent of expectant and new mothers. It may have a gradual onset with varying degrees and levels of depression and anxiety. Women often become isolated and develop relationship difficulties with family and friends. It is now recognised that fathers may also experience anxieties and stress, as a result of changing lifestyle or parenting responsibilities. Early detection, treatment and support from health professionals should be encouraged, and this is why it is so important we raise awareness through roadshows like this one."

Mrs Bostock said her family life was thrown in to turmoil by depression directly related to pregnancy.

The depression, which started during pregnancy continued after Joe was born.

"I was shattered, it was a hard labour, but I thought now that I had given birth it would get better. But I was still very low and doing simple tasks was very difficult," she added.

Luckily, Mrs Bostock had the support of her husband.

She explained: "He would make the dinner, do the washing up, change Joe's nappies and prepare his bottles."

Thanks to the support of Spring Lane Surgery in Radcliffe, the health visitor, her husband and friends Mrs Bostock pulled through. Thinking that having suffered from the depression once, she would not get it again.

"This time round I recognised the signs, but I couldn't understand why I was going through it again. The hardest thing was not being able to do the things I normally did with Joe. I felt inadequate and was tearful. I am so grateful that my family and GP were so understanding."

After recovering from depression, Mrs Bostock (41) with the help of friend Anne Marie Buckley set up a helpline to help other mums.

"We were inundated with calls at all times of the day," she said. The helpline ran for three years until it was forced to finish because of a lack of volunteers."

Mrs Bostock continued to campaign for better services after the helpline closed. The midwife added: "The local health care community is constantly looking at the development of services for the detection and management of perinatal depression in the community."

For more information on perinatal depression contact your GP or health visitor.