Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 – here’s how to get involved
Monday 1st – Sunday 7th May 2023 marks Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and APP is keen to get as many people involved as possible.
Awareness weeks like this are a brilliant opportunity to get more people talking about postpartum psychosis (and the signs and symptoms to look out for), and to ensure that anyone affected doesn’t feel alone and knows where they can turn to for help and support.
As such, we’ll be sharing personal stories, signposting people to support, information and advice, and raising awareness.
In addition to #MaternalMentalHealthAwarenessWeek, organised by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, there will be a focused World Maternal Mental Health Day (Wed 3rd) and Pregnancy & Postpartum Psychosis #PPPAwareness Day (Fri 5th). The theme for the full week is 'Together In A Changing World'.
Free events include:
- Monday 1st May, 12.30-1.30pm – Creative Writing, A Lived Experience Workshop with Laura Dockrill
- Wednesday 3rd May, 3pm – Let's talk about postpartum psychosis with APP and the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership
- Thursday 4th May, 12-1pm – Webinar: ‘Postpartum psychosis: from research to recovery’
- Friday 5th May – Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Community Virtual Gatherings
Read on for event details below.
To find out more about the awareness week, join the free 'APP Network' community to receive our newsletter and follow @ActionOnPP on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
The hashtags are:
#TogetherInAChangingWorld
#MaternalMHMatters
#PPPAwarenessDay
How to get involved
During the week, there will be focused topic days and activities that you can get involved with by sharing our social media posts and web links to help reach more people. We’d also love to hear your stories and thoughts too – so please do tag us (@ActionOnPP) in anything you’re writing about online.
Take part in free events
You can also take part in some FREE events that APP is proud to support including:
Monday 1st May, 12.30-1.30pm – Creative Writing, A Lived Experience Workshop
Join APP Ambassador Laura Dockrill for an online creative writing workshop for mums with lived experience of postpartum psychosis.
Sign up to the free 'APP Network' lived experience community to take part (if you haven't already).
Book a place on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-writing-a-lived-experience-workshop-with-laura-dockrill-tickets-619718142647
This event is free, donations to APP are welcome.
Wednesday 3rd May, 3pm – Let's talk about postpartum psychosis with APP and the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership
Eve Canavan, APP volunteer and organiser of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, will chat with the APP team about a new free toolkit for expectant parents and antenatal health professionals about postpartum psychosis.
Watch live on the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership Instagram page here: www.instagram.com/perinatalmhpartnership
Thursday 4th May, 12-1pm – Webinar: ‘Postpartum psychosis: from research to recovery’
Join APP and the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) to hear from researchers and the expert voices of those with lived experience of postpartum psychosis.
Book your free place on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/postpartum-psychosis-from-research-to-recovery-tickets-611002634327
Friday 5th May – Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Community Virtual Gatherings
Join one of three global virtual meet-ups as part of Pregnancy & Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day 2023 (1am, 10.30am and 5pm BST).
The APP peer support team will co-facilitate the 10.30am and 5pm BST sessions.
Book your free place on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ppp-awareness-day-2023-2031359
Join an APP regional peer support café group
- Black Country, Wednesday 3rd May, 11am-1pm (in person, Walsall Arboretum).
Email: blackcountry@app-network.org - Wales, Thursday 4th May, 7.30-9pm (virtual group).
Email: app@app-network.org
See more regions and dates in May here.
Take on the #MilesForMumsAndBabies Challenge in May
Each mile you complete as part of the challenge reflects the journey mums, babies, partners and families travel to be together, whilst mums receive care in Mother and Baby Units.
To find out more, email: fundraising@app-network.org
Take part in the APP Big Bake
Dust off your aprons and pick up your wooden spoons for the APP Big Bake.
To take part, email: fundraising@app-network.org