We now know it's important to be on the lookout for signs of postnatal depression, anxiety and even psychosis in the early days, but what happens if a mother experiences a mental health crisis further down the track? In this interview, Emmeline Tyler (she/her) shares openly about her birth and blissful postpartum, and how these assisted in helping her be well. She explains how personal and societal factors influenced the unravelling of her mental health during the toddler years, which escalated into psychosis and hospitalisation 2.5 years after birth. Recorded a further 2.5 years down the track, Emmeline shares her insights into the mental health system, her path to recovery and ongoing mental health management, and how her family are seeking to build a life with mental wellness for all as their focus. We also go on a few feminist-y tangents and discuss books because it's us and how could we not?

Content warnings: birth interventions, medical and hospital trauma, psychosis.

Note: This episode was recorded in 2023 and discusses homeschooling. Both mine and Emmeline's children are in formalised educational environments this year (2024).

LinksOn use/misuse of certain words including "tribe": https://www.wellandgood.com/spirit-animal-native-american/If you are interested in finding out more about the Newborn Mothers postpartum care and education course you can do so via this affiliate link: https://newbornmothers.simplero.com/products/172434-Postpartum-Education-and-Care?ref=46186-Anna-Cusack

The Talia Hibbert books we mentioned: https://www.goodreads.com/series/271642-the-brown-sisters

Where to find usEmmeline is the co-host of the soon-to-be-released "Explaining Autism" podcast with Julia Jones. She also has a YouTube channel where she does the hard yards of reading and reviewing a stack of fiction and non-fiction books so you'll never get stuck with a dud read again! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChzD1TesIcsfEkuitdQhXTQ

Emmeline is also on Instagram @emmelineysunConnect with Anna's services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing and parent support sessions), articles and upcoming mothers' circles at www.annacusack.com.au

You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book