What do you do to keep your emotional wellbeing in check?
Walk, read, swim, listen to music and spend as much time as I can with my family and friends.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about mental health in the wider community?
Unfortunately, research continues to show that there is still an enormous amount of shame and stigma that can prevent people from seeking help for their emotional health when they most need it.
Why were you interested in researching perinatal mental health?
The perinatal period is a time when the vast majority of women are in regular contact with health professionals, and it provides such a unique window to identify concerns and intervene early.
The potential for this work to benefit not just pregnant woman and new mothers, but their children, family and community, is what drives me.
What is the biggest learning you have had about mental health/ perinatal mental health over the course of your career?
During my time working in this field, so many women have given up their own time to participate in studies both large and small, and invariably say they are happy to do so if it means that the work will help other women and their families in the future.
Their generosity of spirit, even in times of real adversity, is an inspiration and I feel privileged to have been able to help share their stories.
