All posts by Emma Harvey

Calling women from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds who have had PP


Lauren Walsh, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Staffordshire University, is working with APP to conduct a a research study that is researching the experiences of women from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds who have experienced Postpartum Psychosis. Lauren aims to recruit 8-10 women by December 2019.

The study would involve meeting with a researcher for a semi-structured interview for approximately 1 hour. You will be asked about your experience of Postpartum Psychosis, and particularly your experience of accessing care. You would need to be living in the UK to take part. You can also find out more via the poster here.

If you are from a non-White or mixed ethnic background, have experienced Postpartum Psychosis, and would like to take part or find out more about this study, please get in touch: app@www.app-network.org

Research study exploring how PP affects partners' relationships

Rachel Jack, Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Teeside University,  is looking at how  Postpartum Psychosis affects partners’ relationships with mother and baby.

Rachel says: "There is a growing body of evidence showing the effect of postnatal psychosis on mothers, however there is only limited research regarding the impact on partners and particularly the impact on their relationships.

In order to consider relationships following maternal mental health, the current research believes they should be viewed as more than a mother-child relationship, and instead include the partner as part of a mother-partner-child relationship. It is suggested that partner’s report a shift in their role and a change in parenting styles following postnatal psychosis. Additionally, it is thought that perhaps children may also be impacted in some way, posing an important role for partners at this time. There is, however, a lack of understanding on how partners’ relationships with mother and baby may be affected or impacted.

This study therefore aims to explore how postnatal psychosis affects partners’ relationships with mother and baby. I am looking to recruit partners of mothers who have experienced postnatal psychosis within the last 10 years. The study involves a telephone discussion, at a time convenient to you, lasting approximately an hour. If you are interested in taking part, please email me on T7127956@live.tees.ac.uk and I can send you out some more information."

You can also view the poster for more information here.

The Yellow Wallpaper concert in Aberdeen!

Photo credit: Paul Nichol

Thanks to Anna McClure who is hosting an amazing concert on Friday 25th October at St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, in aid of APP!

Developed by Aberdeen-based performance artist Angela Margaret Main and composer Anna McClure, this special concert is partly based on the famous short story, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1892, which explores a woman’s struggle with Postpartum Psychosis. Anna has composed a new and original piece for this concert, The Yellow Wallpaper for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion and piano with a performance piece by artist, Angela Margaret.

The concert also features works responding to other mental health conditions by Calum Carswell and Anna McClure. There will be a soundconversation with the composers after the performance as well as a short talk by APP's Sally Wilson!

The concert is taking place at Machar's Cathedral, The Chanonry, Old Aberdeen, AB24 1RQ, and you can purchase advance tickets here - £11 adult ticket, £6 conc and U18 & students go FREE. Find out more via the official Facebook event page here.

Thank you so much to Anna for organsing such an increbile event in aid of APP!

Our 'Fab Four' running this year's Royal Parks Half!

For this year's Royal Parks Half marathon we have four amazing runners taking part: Pete, Emma, Julie and Jessie!

All four are taking part in this year's half marathon, which takes place on Sunday 13th of October in central London. It takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens - in all their autumnal glory!

Pete chose to support APP, "because when I was expecting my first child, my work colleague Rachel was also expecting in the same year. Rachel and I seemed to hit our big life events at the same time - marriage and children. My son was born in May and her son was born in December. Both heathy little lads but unfortunately Rachel was hit by Postpartum Psychosis soon after he was born. This really hit home for me and after seeing her recovery I could see the good work APP does."
Visit Pete's JustGiving page here.

Julie is supporting APP as she says, "For many women, the arrival of a baby is a real challenge but for some of them, like me, it can turn into the most traumatic and painful experience, leaving you feeling so ashamed, guilty, anxious and desperate that your mind makes you think that the only way out is to take your own life. I did not suffer from Postpartum Psychosis myself but experienced what we call postpartum depression. I was not diagnosed when I had my first baby, if I had, I would not have had to go through a much more severe depression with the arrival of my second baby, my beautiful little girl. Thank God, I asked for help and was finally hospitalised for 3 long months. It was hard to be away from my family. I had to remind myself everyday that it was for the best that I was not with my little baby girl, that I was missing all these moments in her brand new life but yes, it was ! I fought really hard, I took medication, spoke to a psychiatrist on a daily basis and now look at me, a proud Mummy of two, running a half marathon ! Never felt so good before in my life: all this work was worth it! Please donate to this charity so women like me can be brought back to life and enjoy fully the wonderful gift of love and motherhood."
Visit Julie's VirginMoneyGiving page here.

Jessie is supporting APP because "APP has helped me over the past 6 years in my recovery from Postpartum Psychosis, a severe but treatable mental illness experienced a few weeks after having a baby." and says "I have been training hard for race day - from barely being able to run up the stairs to 13.1 miles - it has been quite a feat! But knowing that I am raising awareness of Postpartum Psychosis and money for APP has kept me going."
Visit Jessie's JustGiving page here.

Emma chose to support APP through finding out about PP in her work as a Consultant and Practitioner Psychologist at Jigsaw Clinic London.
Visit Emma's JustGiving page here.

Please support our 'fab four' and donate what you can via their online donation pages!

With huge thanks to Pete, Emma Julie and Jessie for all their hard work - we wish them all the best with their training and hope they have lots of autumn sunshine on 13th October!

Royal Parks Half Marathon 2017

Arnside Ladies Choir sing for APP!

A big thank you to the Arnside Ladies Choir who are holding a fantastic 'Showstoppers' concert on Friday 1st November, in aid of APP!

The concert starts at 2.30pm and the choir will be singing hits from the musicals, at the Arnside WI Hall, in South Cumbria. Tickets cost £5 and proceeds will be donated to APP on the day!

It looks like it's going to be a wonderful event and if you're in or near to South Cumbria please do go along.

With special thanks to the Arnside Ladies Choir for chosing to support APP; we hope you have a showstopping time!

You can find out more about Arnside Ladies' Choir here: www.arnsideladieschoir.co.uk

Thanks so much to everyone involved.

 

Elizabeth brings Irene's Ghost to Walthamstow!

Huge thanks to Elizabeth, who hosted a screening of Irene's Ghost film in Walthamstow, London on Saturday 7th September, raising funds in aid of APP!

Elizabeth arranged a screening at her local cinema, Mirth, Marvel and Maud, in Walthamstow, which is an amazging Grade II* listed building, famous for having been frequented by Alfred Hitchcock and for being built on a site where films were shown as early as 1896. The screening also included a Q&A session after the film, with our brilliant volunteer Kat on the panel!

Elizabeth said: "I'm so pleased that so many people could come to the screening of Irene's Ghost for APP... we had mums, dads, babies, toddlers and teens there, as well as a smattering of health professionals (including a midwife, perinatal mental health workers and a GP). It was fabulous to have Ellie Land, the animation director to introduce Irene's Ghost and lead the Q&A afterwards with Kat. Such a warm and supportive atmosphere with important awareness raising too - all from the comfort of our cinema seats.

Massive thank you to APP for your help in setting up this event and your attendance at it. No one wanted to leave at the end and I know many important and valuable conversations were continuing long after the event formally ended."

Irene's Ghost
is a must-watch film for anyone with an interest in mental health but even for those who don't, it is a beautiful, moving portrayal of the intricacies of family life and the impact of the things we don't discuss. The film was recently listed as one of the best films of 2019 by The Guardianclick here to read the article in full.

With special thanks to Elizabeth for hosting this screening.

To find out more about Irene's Ghost and where it is being screened in the UK visit: http://irenesghost.com/screenings 

How to arrange a screening of Irene's Ghost at your local cinema!

If you'd like to arrange a screening in your local cinema you can read Elizabeth's Top Ten Tips to organising a screening of Irene's Ghost here. 

 

 

Ele and Greg's skydive!

Well done and thank you to the very brave Ele and Greg who both completed a skydive in aid of APP on 26th August and have raised nearly £900! Thank you both so much; an amazing achievement!

Ele says: "I feel so proud of myself for facing up to my fears and jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet - not a birthday I’ll forget in a hurry! My instructor was a legend and really put me at ease, conditions were perfect - not a cloud in the sky, such beautiful views! Still can’t quite believe I’ve done it but I never would have before PP so it’s definitely made me a braver person. Thank you so much to all who sponsored us, really hope the money can help other women struggling as I have and that this can inspire them that they can do amazing things again after psychosis - there is life beyond and alongside mental illness, and it can even be pretty amazing at times too!"

And what a fantastic time they had on the day!

You can still donate via their GoFundMe page here.

A big Thank You to Ele and Greg for all your support - what a brave pair!

...and if you're interested in doing a skydive for APP you can find out more about it here.

Kimberley's fantastic fitness event!

A big Thank You to Kimberley for hosting an amazing 8 hour fitness event in aid of APP on Saturday 18th August, and has raised nearly £650 so far - what a fantastic achievement!

Kimberley's event was split up into 8 different hour long fitness sessions, where people could sign up to one or more sessions in return for a small donation to APP, and she also laid on refreshments too!

Kimberley says: "the event went absolutely fantastically yesterday! A brilliant turn out and raised £313.97. So as well as the £220 from the online page so far (it’s open for another month as yet!) Plus I have also done two cake stalls raising approximately £70 each! All in all a very successful day!"

By the looks of things everyone had a brilliant time!

Thank you so much to Kimberley for all the hard work to plan and prepare for the event, and for everyone who took part and donated as well. It really is an amazing achievement and we are very grateful for your support!

Virtual Runner monthly challenge, May 2020

APP are the chosen charity for Virtual Runner's monthly challenge during May 2020!

Virtual Runner gives you the opportunity to enter virtual races where you can run, walk or cycle anywhere, anytime at your own pace; whether it's a run around your housing estate or on a treadmill in the gym, you can join in practically anywhere in the world!

Challenge yourself to complete 25k, 50k, 100k or 200k distance throughout the month of May 2020. Your challenge will be made up from multiple sessions to achieve your chosen distance but you can do it at your pace. You can choose to run, walk or cycle the distance you have signed up for between 1st – 31st May 2020 and you can mix and match any discipline to achieve your goal.

It costs £8.50 to sign up and a minimum of 20% donation will be donated to Action on Postpartum Psychosis.

Once completed, you just submit your results online and upload proof that you have completed the distance or challenge using app screenshots or park run stats and they'll send you a cool medal!

To find out more and sign up for APP's month of May 2020 click here

Or, you can watch the Virtual Runner video below:

Virtual Runner Short VT from Lee Davey on Vimeo.

Irene's Ghost screening in Walthamstow!

Thank you to our fab supporter, Elizabeth, who is hosting a special screening of the film Irene's Ghost at 1:30pm on Saturday 7th September in Walthamstow, London, in aid of APP!

Elizabeth says: "I was privileged to see a screening of Irene's Ghost at the BFI where the Director, Iain Cunningham did a Q&A. This powerfully evocative film impacted me greatly and I wanted to help others see it too!

The screening will be at 1.30pm on Saturday 7th September at Mirth, Marvel and Maud, E17 4QH and is just a 2 minute walk from Walthamstow Central tube station. The building is Grade II* listed and houses a pub, cinema and cultural centre. It is famous for having been frequented by Alfred Hitchcock and for being built on a site where films were shown as early as 1896.

The event runs from 1.30 to 3.30pm and will be followed by a Q & A session with APP."

Tickets are now on sale here priced at £9, which includes booking fee and donation to APP.

Mirth, Marvel and Maud

Irene's Ghost is a must-watch film for anyone with an interest in mental health but even for those who don't, it is a beautiful, moving portrayal of the intricacies of family life and the impact of the things we don't discuss.

The film was recently listed as one of the best films of 2019 by The Guardian! Click here to read the article in full.

You can also read APP Director, Dr Jess Heron's interview with Irene's Ghost Director, Iain Cunningham here.

With special thanks to Elizabeth for hosting this screening; we look forward to seeing you all there!