An organization is hoping the death of missing New Westminster mother helps shed light on postpartum depression.
Florence Leung, 32, left her in the city’s West End home on Oct. 25 and never returned. Throughout the investigation, police were particularly concerned for Leung’s well-being because it was believed she was suffering from postpartum depression. When her body was found last week on the banks of Bowen Island, police weren’t the only ones extending their condolences to Leung’s family.
“We were deeply affected by the news of this mom, and we know that a lot of people would hear that news and also be affected,” Sheila Duffy, director of the Pacific Post Partum Support Society, told the Record.
The Burnaby-based organization provides support to mothers and families experiencing postpartum/perinatal distress, depression and anxiety. Duffy hopes Leung’s death will draw attention to postpartum conditions so that other mothers and their families seek support if they need it.
The society runs a support line, which women and family members can call if they need to talk to someone – it’s a self-referral program, so no diagnosis is needed – as well as seven support groups around the Lower Mainland.
While the search for Leung pushed postpartum struggles into the spotlight, it’s not without its pitfalls, according to Duffy.
“For some people, their experience isn’t going to be as severe, necessarily, so then it can work the opposite way where it’s like, ‘Well, I don’t want to tell anybody because they’re going to assume I’m suicidal,’” she said, adding there is a wide spectrum in terms of experiences – everything from stress adjusting to a new baby to diagnosed postpartum depression.
Duffy wants women and their families to know that whatever they’re experiencing is completely treatable.
“It can be scary when you’re in it, but the best thing to do is to reach out to somebody you feel you can trust, whether that’s your doctor or a public health nurse or calling our office, because right there that can make a huge difference,” she said.
“You might feel like you’re the only one, when in fact lots of people are struggling or having a hard time, but lots of people get better also. So the most important thing is getting support and not going through this by yourself – you don’t need to go through it alone.”
The Pacific Post Partum Support Society provides support for about 3,500 mothers and families each year. For more information and/or help, visit postpartum.org or call the support line at 604-255-7999.
