All posts by Andrea

APP attended the Birmingham Mother & Baby Unit annual review at the Barberry, Edgbaston, on 14^th Oct to meet with recovered service users and to hear about the great work being done. The focus of the review was service development and to provide a format for service users to feedback ideas for taking things forward.

The day was hosted by Giles Berrisford (Chair of APP) and Catherine Beard (Friends of the Mother & Baby Service) with guest speakers including clinicians, professionals and service users talking about their personal experiences using the services. Throughout the day we heard interesting and thought-provoking presentations about a study of 'Men's experiences of Postpartum Psychosis requiring MBU admission' and ‘Perinatal services from both sides of the fence’ - a personal Postpartum Psychosis story by a trainee GP. After a light lunch with plenty of time for mingling, other sessions included ‘The voice of Dads’, ‘bonding Interventions’ and ‘Meet the Staff’.

It was a friendly, informative and constructive day and an excellent example of collaboration and engagement with service users to continue developing, improving and growing services.

APP attended The Perinatal Mental Illness Conference /Elaine Hanzak's Conference and book launch 'Another Twinkle in the Eye' -Considering a second pregnancy after Postnatal Illness, 23rd Sept, Manchester. There were around 150 delegates at the event, including Midwives, Health Visitors, Consultants and women who have recovered from severe PND and Postpartum Psychosis. 

It was a very full day with moving talks from women and fathers sharing their personal experiences. APP Trustee, Niclola Muckelroy shared her story of PP and recovery.  Some of the topics covered were Perinatal Psychiatry, birth experience, communication, bonding &  attachment and creativity and included sessions by organisations such as Family Action, Smile, PSS?, The Marce Society, EFT.  It was an excellent and moving day with plenty of opportunity to network with other organisations and women who've experienced PP, many of which were keen to work more closely with APP and become APP Volunteers and Regional Representatives. 

APP attended The Perinatal Mental Illness Conference /Elaine Hanzak's Conference and book launch 'Another Twinkle in the Eye' -Considering a second pregnancy after Postnatal Illness, 23rd Sept, Manchester. There were around 150 delegates at the event, including Midwives, Health Visitors, Consultants and women who have recovered from severe PND and Postpartum Psychosis. 

It was a very full day with moving talks from women and fathers sharing their personal experiences. APP Trustee, Niclola Muckelroy shared her story of PP and recovery.  Some of the topics covered were Perinatal Psychiatry, birth experience, communication, bonding &  attachment and creativity and included sessions by organisations such as Family Action, Smile, PSS?, The Marce Society, EFT.  It was an excellent and moving day with plenty of opportunity to network with other organisations and women who've experienced PP, many of which were keen to work more closely with APP and become APP Volunteers and Regional Representatives. 

 APP trustee Clare Dolman has been shortlisted for the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Service User/Patient Contributor of the Year Award.

She is one of four nominees shortlisted and invited to attend the Royal College’s awards ceremony at their London headquarters on 10th November.

This award recognises the significant contribution service users make to developing and improving mental health services. The judges were looking for nominees who had made a positive impact on services by improving the perception of mental health issues; encouraging change in mental health policy; and contributing to the training of mental health professionals.

Clare comments, “I’m delighted to have been nominated for this award by members of the Royal College in recognition of my work with the wonderful charities Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) and Bipolar UK and my involvement in the Maternal Mental Health Alliance campaign to improve perinatal mental health services in the UK”. 

Read the full RCPsych Awards 2015 shortlists

We would like to say a very big thank you for all the support we’ve received over the past month with our National Lottery Award campaigning.

Sadly, we came a very close 2nd to the winning project with just 106 votes between us. Despite this, we had an absolutely fantastic campaigning month and have reached a massive audience we wouldn't normally have had the opportunity to. The exposure given to Postpartum Psychosis among the general public, midwives, health visitors, GPs, psychiatrists worldwide and also on a more personal level among families has been an incredible success. (more…)