A woman who overcame crippling postnatal depression and suicidal thoughts to complete her studies, graduates from Heriot-Watt University today (June 20).
Helan Vinod was presented with an MSc in Business Psychology with Intercultural Communication during the Summer Graduation Ceremonies being held this week at the University’s Edinburgh campus.
It was a moment charged with intense emotion for the 29-year-old who endured a traumatic pregnancy and labour just eight months ago, leading to fears she would not be able to graduate.
Her story is one of resilience and determination.
Helan moved to Edinburgh with her husband in February 2022 from their home in South India.
Shortly after arriving, Helan enrolled into her one-year course at the University’s School of Social Sciences but her world was turned upside down when, just weeks later, she fell pregnant.
Helan recalls: “Falling pregnant at that time was not really in our plans; we were going to wait at least another three years. “But once the shock had subsided we were, of course, delighted. So, I pushed myself to go ahead. I didn’t want to give up on my baby or my degree.”
Helan’s joy quickly turned into trepidation after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, causing excessive nausea and vomiting early in her pregnancy.
It became so debilitating that she was unable to attend her new job working in a fast-food restaurant and took the decision to resign.
It was also around this time that Helan was diagnosed with gallstones, resulting in bouts of agonising pain.
With so much to contend with, Helan started to notice a change in her mental health with growing feelings of depression and anxiety.
She said: “There were many factors effecting my mental health at that time. “I’d moved to a new country and knew I must adapt to everything being different, from the climate to the language. But I didn’t have much time to get used to this because everything happened so quickly.
“Being a new mum as well as a new student and trying to grapple with life in a new country, it all became too much for me. My parents were working in India so I couldn’t ask for much support from them. I was kind of stranded.”
Her condition worsened as the pregnancy progressed and started to affect her studies. At many points, Helan questioned whether she would have the physical strength to attend a class again, let alone graduate.
She turned to the University for help and was put in contact with the Student Wellbeing Services, which she credits as playing a crucial role in her academic success.
Helan said: “As an expecting mother experiencing challenges in terms of physical and mental health, there has been multiple instances where I felt that I had to give up on my studies. The support system at Heriot-Watt, especially the Student Wellbeing Services, were empathetic and remarkably accommodating.
“The course leaders were very friendly and approachable, most of them were keen to offer extra support since I had missed a few lectures due to my health constraints.”
On 31 October 2022, Helan gave birth in Edinburgh to a beautiful baby boy, named Isaiah – but shortly afterwards, she noticed a drastic change in her outlook.
She struggled to get out of bed in the mornings, lost her appetite and felt ‘desperate and hopeless’. At her lowest point, Helan admits to feeling suicidal.
She explained: “After the birth, I felt emotionally crippled. Although my parents had made the trip to Scotland for the birth, I was feeling really low, tearful and it was an absolute disaster. I really don’t know how to put it into words. I was feeling suicidal and was completely helpless.
“But the NHS was amazing and recognised these symptoms from early on, from before the birth, and I was placed under the care of the Postnatal mental health team.”
To aid her in her recovery, the University ensured Helan had all the support she needed to complete her studies.
This included granting an extension for her dissertation deadline allowing her to defer until the following year.
Helan concluded: “The student service centre and the visa team were professional, yet sensitive in their interactions. Throughout my pregnancy and postnatal recovery, the University remained accessible to me.
“The breastfeeding rooms, baby-changing facilities and accommodative attitude of the staff and students were important factors that helped me to cope with this pivotal transition period in my life.”
According to the NHS, postnatal depression affects more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. Its symptoms can be far ranging and include experiencing extreme highs and lows, frequent crying, feelings of guilt, anxiety and, in some cases, the mother being unable to care for her child.
Helan remains under the care of mental health services as she continues to recover but is looking forward to using her new qualification in her future career.
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