When Compassion Becomes Strategy
Transforming Workplaces: Unleash Parental Strength and Retain Your Talent
Postpartum depression (PPD) is not just a personal issue. It is a workplace issue.
Workplaces that address postpartum depression early not only care for their employees but also reduce the hidden costs of turnover, burnout, and absenteeism.
“When a valued employee returns from maternity or paternity leave, they bring more than their role. They bring their whole context. The first weeks back matter. Without structured support, even high performers can slip into self‑doubt, disengagement or resignation.
Our approach helps HR leaders turn this transition into a retention strength.”
“Imagine reducing the hidden cost of burnout, absenteeism, and turnover simply by offering a carefully designed re‑entry plan and manager conversation training. That’s not just good HR. It’s smart business.”
“The tools for parental mental‑health support aren’t complicated. They’re strategic. They include phased returns, manager check‑ins, peer networks, and early identification of anxiety or depression risks. When you make them part of your workflow, you future‑proof your talent and protect your culture.”
Did You Know?
“65% of working parents
report experiencing burnout,
with depression and anxiety significantly correlated
with this burnout.”
Gawlik et al., 2025: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39297832
A Return That Feels Different
When Thandi walked back into the office after maternity leave, her heart tugged as she said goodbye to her baby.
She was anxious and overwhelmed. The once-familiar office felt unfamiliar. New faces, new systems, and the subtle fear that she might no longer fit in.
Every email felt heavier, every meeting longer, and her confidence, which was once her strength, was now shadowed by self-doubt.
She didn’t want anyone to notice she was struggling. But they did and she sensed it.
Did she even belong anymore? Maybe it would be better to just quit…
The Team’s Perspective
While Thandi tried to hold herself together, her team felt the strain too.
They had been covering her workload for months, balancing extra tasks and tight deadlines.
At first, they were supportive. But as weeks passed, frustration started to creep in. They didn’t understand why she seemed distant or emotional. Their patience wore thin.
Her manager, unsure of what was happening, began to question her performance. She wanted to help but didn’t know how.
They had targets to meet.
Did You Know?
According to studies, PPD diagnosis rates nearly doubled from 9.4% in 2010 to 19% in 2021.
This means more women are experiencing it, or more are finally getting diagnosed.
Both require better workplace awareness.
Why This Matters to HR and Financial Leaders
Ignoring postpartum challenges can quietly drain your bottom line.
65% of working parents report experiencing burnout, with depression and anxiety closely linked to that burnout.
And yet, few organizations have structured return-to-work programmes or mental health policies tailored to new parents.
When HR leads with empathy and understanding, it builds loyalty and productivity.
Employees who feel supported after returning from maternity leave are three times more likely to stay with their employer.
Risk Factors You Can Influence
Workplace factors that increase PPD risk include:
- Lack of job security or flexibility
- High workloads with little control
- Poor schedule autonomy
- Minimal maternity reintegration support
- Weak communication and trust
Did You Know?
Work-life conflict is one of the strongest predictors of postpartum anxiety and depression. Women who feel torn between home and office are twice as likely to experience burnout.
Parental Mental Health Mindset Snippets
Through our Taming the Monster video series. From High Performance to High Risk, Postpartum Depression Impacts the Workplace: Why Companies Must Take Action, and Breastfeeding Support at Work Enhances Mental Health and Employee Engagement. We bridge the gap between parents’ real experiences and HR’s role in building supportive workplaces.
From High Performance to High Risk: Supporting Parents’ Mental Health at Work
Postpartum Anxiety and Depression Impact the Workplace: Why Companies Must Act
Breastfeeding Support at Work Enhances Mental Health and Employee Engagement
What We Offer HR & Corporate Clients
Keynote: From High Performance to High Risk – Supporting Parents’ Mental Health at Work
Workshop: Telling the Story, Leading with Emotional Intelligence
Designed HR‑Toolkit: Parental Mental Health Strategy for HR Leaders
Custom consulting for your return‑to‑work programme and manager training
What is Postnatal or POSTPARTUM Depression?
Are you or someone you know feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or persistently sad after childbirth? POSTNATAL DEPRESSION (PND), also known as POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, is more than the “baby blues.” It’s a real and serious mental health condition that can affect your ability to care for yourself or your baby. You are not alone. Many new parents experience feelings of guilt, shame, or isolation, making it hard to seek help. Support is available, and recovery is possible. Whether you’re a parent, HR manager, or caregiver, knowing the signs and encouraging professional support can make a life-changing difference. Everyone deserves to feel supported, uplifted and well.
Can Men Suffer From Paternal Postpartum Depression?
Paternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious but often overlooked condition affecting up to 1 in 10 new fathers. It can begin during pregnancy or within the first year after birth. Common signs include sadness, anger, irritability, withdrawal from family, changes in sleep or eating habits, and loss of interest in activities. Fathers may also feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or disconnected from their baby. PPD can impact relationships and the baby’s development if left untreated. Men often hide their symptoms, making it harder to detect. With support, counseling, and in some cases, medication, recovery is possible and families can heal together.
Meet Kim Vermaak
Kim Vermaak
The Mindset Whisperer
Kim Vermaak, author, speaker, and host of the Write Learn and Earn Show, draws upon her own powerful journey through severe postnatal depression to offer vital insights and hope. Having spent years empowering leaders to share their stories, Kim now bravely steps forward to break the silence on this often-hidden struggle affecting countless women within our communities and workplaces. Through her personal narrative, "Taming the Monster," and impactful talks, Kim offers understanding and practical strategies for mental health support groups, corporates with wellness programs, NGOs, and the women directly facing PND. Join us to learn, connect, and discover how we can better support mothers on their path to recovery and wellbeing.
Author | Speaker | Mental Health Advocate
Let's Talk About Postpartum depression (PPD)
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Tarynlee Kearney and Lynn Vermaak from The Boardroom Couch to unpack a topic that’s often overlooked… postpartum depression in both mothers and fathers.
Drawing on insights from my book Taming the Monster, we explore:
- What postpartum depression really looks like for men and women
- The complex emotional journey of modern motherhood
- How fathers can also suffer in silence and why it matters
- The role of the workplace in supporting new parents
Real stories, expert advice, and practical ways to create safer spaces at home and at work
Whether you’re a parent, a leader, an HR professional, or someone who cares about mental health. This episode will open your eyes to the realities many families face after the birth of a child.