APP's Rachel Lucas to run 84-miles between NHS units in Leeds and Chorley for maternal mental health
APP peer supporter, Rachel Lucas, is running the distance between two NHS inpatient units that helped her recover from the same serious mental illness after the birth of her children.
Rachel (33), who lives in Clitheroe in Lancashire, will be running around 80 miles between The Mount Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Leeds, and the Ribblemere MBU in Chorley. She will start at 9am in Leeds on Saturday 6 June, and finish in Chorley around lunchtime on Sunday 7 June.
Both units treated Rachel for postpartum psychosis - a rare and severe mental illness that develops suddenly and usually within the first two weeks after childbirth. Rachel has since gone on to make a full recovery and is now the proud mum of two healthy children.
She has also become a peer support worker for APP for whom she’s raising money to help other parents who struggle with this illness.
Rachel has already completed the London Marathon this year – smashing her original fundraising target of £5,000. With her sights now set on a higher target, she’s appealing for support to get her and her partner James over the finish line and over her new target.
“After the birth of our daughter Evelyn in 2019, I developed postpartum psychosis,” said Rachel. “It was a severe and traumatic mental illness that came out of nowhere. I experienced delusions, confusion and terrifying hallucinations. I was living in Leeds at the time and ended up being admitted to the Mother and Baby Unit there.
“It felt like everything had been ripped away from us at what should have been the happiest time of our lives. I genuinely believed I would never feel like myself again. I spent six weeks in the Leeds MBU at The Mount and I’m so grateful to them for helping me recover.”
Rachel, James and their healthy baby girl then moved to Clitheroe where she became pregnant with their second child in 2021. They worked closely with specialist perinatal mental health services and her midwife to create a care plan. In the plan they discussed medication choices, birth preferences and how treatment would look if Rachel experienced postpartum psychosis symptoms again.
Despite receiving excellent support from her local NHS teams, she began to experience early signs of postpartum psychosis again. The symptoms displayed themselves again as severe anxiety, insomnia and obsessive thoughts about her baby’s safety. This time the signs were recognised quickly, and Rachel was admitted to the Ribblemere MBU for treatment.
“James spotted the signs first and was able to raise the alarm quickly. Having prior knowledge, early intervention and support made a significant difference to my recovery the second time. Although it was still scary, I was able to speak up for myself and I remained closely involved in my baby’s care throughout my eight-week stay.”
Since being discharged with son Jude, Rachel has experienced depression and anxiety but has continued to recover with the right support. This has inspired her to campaign for APP - raising awareness of postpartum psychosis and maternal mental health.
“I want both mums and partners out there to know that you can get through it with the right support. If you know what to look out for, you can get the help you need quicker. That’s where support from dads and partners can be critical too. I would not be here today with my children if it wasn’t for the support we both got.
“After having my kids, telling my story for this cause is the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done. With help you can go the distance – which is why I’m running the distance I’m running.”
Help Rachel hit her fundraising target via her Just Giving page.
Follow the run on Instagram – keep up with Rachel and James as they run between Leeds and Chorley on Instagram – follow Rachel @Rachel_lucas93 or visit https://www.instagram.com/rachel_lucas93/.
Find out more about the Yorkshire and Humber Mother and Baby Unit at The Mount in Leeds.
Find out more about the Ribblemere Mother and Baby Unit in Chorley.