Emily and Adam skydive for APP!
Two wonderful staff members from The Beeches Mother and Baby Unit in Derby are getting 2024 off to a flying start with a skydive on Friday 12th January!
Emily and Adam are bravely taking on this challenge to raise raise awareness of postnatal mental illness.
Adam says: “Ever since graduating as a mental health nurse and beginning my career on The Beeches MBU I’ve been passionate about improving services and support to people going through mental health crises in the postpartum period.
I have seen first hand the impact that prompt care and support has on recovery rates. Additionally my friend and skydive partner Emily had her own journey with postpartum psychosis and I know how helpful APP and community services were for her.
I’m keen to help in any way that I can; so a sponsored skydive seemed the perfect way to do it! “
Emily herself experienced postnatal mental illness after the birth of her baby in 2020. She has gone on to train to become a support worker, helping other mums who are going through difficult times. She says: “After being a service user myself and working on The Beeches Mother and Baby Unit as a Support Worker, I’ve seen both personally and professionally the impact that care has on recovery. My personal experience has given me this intense drive to make a difference in services as I know first hand how scary the postnatal period can be.”
'Postnatal mental illness is so terrifying and at the time you don’t see any kind of light after dark, everything is just tunnel vision and I’ve never felt sadness and fear like it. The sadness of not wanting to be here and not enjoying this motherhood dream that everyone talks about, not enjoying anything in life, feeling like a burden and like you’re not worthy of being a parent, but honestly, it DOES change.'
You can read more of Emily's beautifully written story about her experiences, and add your support for her and Adam's jump on their GoFundMe page.
Good luck Emily and Adam!