Chloe’s story moves through a series of places that marked the height of her anxiety and melancholic depression — from hospital wards after a retained placenta to the streets where she pushed her pram while fighting suicidal ideation. From emergency departments to a mother-and-baby unit admission, she navigated severe symptoms and the challenge of accepting help.

As a midwife with no history of mental ill health, Caitlin never expected to develop severe postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her second child. Her condition escalated to the point of requiring an eight-week psychiatric admission in the same hospital where she worked, followed by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for treatment-resistant depression. Caitlin reflects on her journey through diagnosis, treatment, and the return of hope.