Marlene Lim is a passionate pharmacist and health educator with professional interests in mental health, and children and women’s health and wellbeing. Registered both in Malaysia and Australia, she is a pharmacy proprietor in Malaysia and also a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. 

With over ten years experience in pharmacy health services delivery in both metro and rural area and over fifteen years experience in providing motivational and personal grooming consultancy and event production, Marlene has been exposed to individuals with mental health issues from different sectors. Marlene is especially interested in raising awareness around mental health and wellbeing among parents, the elderly, teenagers and small business owners and empowering participants to be MHFA first responders for their family members, friends, colleagues and community. 

During the Covid crisis, she volunteers her time through founding the Facebook group Covid Care Community Malaysia Group and moderating the Australian’s inspired Adopt A Healthcare Worker Malaysia Group which helps to improve mental health of the community and spread positivity. Marlene is a mother of two and loves spending time cooking, traveling, watching movies and recently added gardening into her list of hobbies.

Episode 9 Mental Health | Perinatal considerations

Marlene discusses mental health from conception until 1 year after birth; the perinatal period. She offers ways to manage perinatal mental health and how to talk to a new mum about how she is coping.

5 Indispensable tips

1. If you suspect anyone may have a suicidal thoughts or are showing suicidal behaviour, ask directly and intervene. Don’t assume or guess. Take it seriously.
2. Early intervention leads to faster recovery. Nip it in the bud by asking, listening, supporting and encouraging a person positively
3. Listen and allow silences. This could potentially create a change because the person feels they are being listened to
4. Don’t judge - that’s the least you can do to help and support anyone.
5. Take care of yourself. You can’t take care of another person if you’re not well. Remember self-care!

Links

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) - https://www.panda.org.au/

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) - https://www.cope.org.au/

Gidget Foundation - https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/

Parent Infant Research Institute (PIRI) - https://www.piri.org.au/

Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

Contact Marlene here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heymisspotato

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlenelim/

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