SHANELLE Schick knew something wasn't right during the days after her daughter's birth.

She didn't feel herself, she was constantly exhausted and sad, she wasn't sleeping and she wasn't coping.

She thought she was going crazy.

But little did the new mum know she was suffering from post-natal depression.

Now, five years later, the mother-of-two is an expert in supporting parents through mental health issues and has started up a parents group, Peachy Parents, on the Capricorn Coast.

Shanelle, a life coach and local group facilitator, said the wellbeing of parents was very important in the lead up to and after the birth of their child.

"I had post-natal depression after the birth of my daughter due to a combination of a traumatic birth experience and unrealistic expectations of motherhood," she said.

"I thought I was the only one that wasn't coping and the only one who didn't really like the whole aspect of motherhood like I thought I would.

"I never thought it would happen to me and at the time of my diagnosis there was a lot of shame and guilt around it because unfortunately women think we should naturally be good at being mothers and that we should look like the celebrity mums in the magazines.

"It took me three years to get back on track and feel human again. I've had another child since and while I didn't get it with him, having had it before I can recognise the signs but I just have to keep reminding myself that I don't have to be society's 'perfect mum', I'm the perfect mum for my child just the way I am."

Shanelle, 35, said after going through post-natal depression herself she wanted to help other parents through their experiences.

"I wanted to tell parents that it was ok to talk about how they feel on an emotional level," she said.

"In my journey I started doing life coaching and breaking down the barriers of the stigma around post-natal depression. The mums who come say it's a safe space for them to receive support from other parents."

For details call 0415 565 456.