First nominee for Super Mum Award announced (From York Press)

First nominee for Super Mum Award announced

8:43am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

A NORTH Yorkshire mum who is using her experiences of post natal depression to help hundreds of women is one of the first nominees for The Press Super Mum Award.

Amanda Hizzett, 34, suffered from such severe post-natal depression following the birth of her daughter Chloe, now six, she contemplated suicide.

But after receiving help for the condition she made a recovery, set up a Facebook support group which has helped women from across the region in the same position and went on to have twins. She has been nominated for the award by her husband, Carl, who said he has found his wife’s determination and consideration for other people inspirational.

Carl said: “What makes her remarkable, and I’m sure others would agree, is that she decided to use those experiences to help the local community by setting up a support group on Facebook for women suffering post-natal depression specifically in the local area and has no doubt helped some of The Press readers.

She has also worked tirelessly to get the local services improved and is currently helping to set up a drop-in session for women suffering post-natal depression in York.

“She does all this on top of looking after me and the kids, running the house and working a part time job. I’m amazed how she finds the time to balance everything. Her generous kindness to others is what both the kids and I love about her and makes her special.”

Amanda, who lives in Crossgates, Scarborough, said her depression had been debilitating and frightening and had taken a while for health workers to diagnose, but with the support of her GP and family she went on to have twins Ben and Katie, now three.

Her Facebook page, Post Natal Depression UK – Scarborough And The Surrounding Area, puts women in touch with one another as well as offering advice and current information on the condition.

Amanda said she was very touched her husband had made the “lovely” gesture of nominating her for the award. She said: “I was appalled at the lack of support in the area at the time. There was no indication where I could go when I was feeling low. When I started having suicidal thoughts, I did not know where to turn. I thought somebody had to do something about it. I say to people, if I can get over it, you can too.”

• The Press has teamed up with The National Trust’s Middlethorpe Hall & Spa in the search for a Super Mum.

The prize will be an overnight stay for two in a superior double room in the 18th century courtyard at Middlethorpe Hall & Spa, with a candle-lit dinner for two, an early morning tea, delivered to the room, a full Yorkshire breakfast and a 55 minute Decléor treatment in the Spa for both, and use of the Spa facilities.

Nominations highlighting what makes your nominee so special should be no longer than 200 words and include a good quality head and shoulders photograph of the nominee. Please include a contact telephone number.

Send nominations to Super Mum Award, c/o Nadia Jefferson-Brown, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN, or email to nadia.jeffersonbrown@thepress.co.uk with the photograph as a jpeg attachment.

The deadline is Saturday, February 25. A shortlist of finalists will be announced in The Press on March 5. Readers will then be invited to decide which of the finalists should win. Further details on how to vote will follow.