The Doncaster mum taking on postnatal depression with make-up

Natasha Wainwright, aged 26, of Moorends, battled depression after giving birth to twins Summer and James last July.

The experience inspired her to tackle the stigma she says still surrounds the condition, while helping other mums open up about their struggles and rebuild their confidence.

It proved such a success - attracting nearly 500 members within a month of launching - that she has now started her own make-up brand called Multitude Makeup.

The community interest company, created with the support of Groundwork South Yorkshire, donates a share of profits to the family support charity Home-Start and the PANDAS (Pre And PostNatal Depression Advice and Support) Foundation.

As the company grows, Natasha, who is making the goods from her living room, plans to send out leaflets with each order containing information about postnatal depression and the support available.

"I sought help for my postnatal depression and was prescribed tablets and given counselling but I still didn't feel like me; I felt like a mother of twins whose life consisted of changing nappies and feeding babies," said Natasha, who works part-time at a call centre.

"I set up the Facebook group so people could share make-up tips and information about sales, but I never expected it to take off like it has. People love sharing their new looks.

"I just wanted to remind mothers it's not selfish to spend a little time and money on themselves."

Postnatal depression affects more than one in every 10 women within a year of giving birth, according to the NHS, and can also affect their partners.

With the right support, most women make a full recovery, but Natasha believes the stigma surrounding the condition prevents many people seeking the help they need.

She is determined to raise awareness of the symptoms and bust the many myths and misconceptions clouding perceptions.

Many people, she says, wrongly expect anyone with postnatal depression to be sat in a corner crying, unable to leave the house and dressed in food-encrusted clothes.

Once when she told someone what she was going through, she was shocked to be told 'does that mean you don't love your children?'

Some mothers experiencing depression, meanwhile, assume incorrectly that seeking much-needed support will lead to their children being taken into care.

"The stigma attached to the condition can be very dangerous because if people don't seek the support they need, they can get to the point where they can't look after themselves or their little ones," she said.

"We're trying to make it a more open conversation because we don't think mental health's something that should be frowned upon."

* Multitude Makeup has launched a crowdfunding appeal to help it expand so it can support more women. You can donate at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/multitude-makeup-1.