16 April 2024

Award-winning Blackpool writer runs London Marathon to raise awareness of postpartum psychosis

Blackpool writer and actress, Lauren-Nicole Mayes, is about to take on her biggest challenge yet as she gears up for Sunday’s London Marathon in aid of the national perinatal mental health charity, Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP).

Born and bred in Blackpool, Lauren broke into the world of writing having noticed a lack of stories representing the working-class women who raised her. Her first play BABYNUN XO premiered at The Lowry as part of a research and development week, following the story of Isabella and Mike and explored the impact of postpartum psychosis (PP) in all of it’s hilarity vs despair mentality. The piece has since developed as a TV idea and  follows the stories of five sisters as one explores the impact of PP which unites and fractures them further. It has been picked up by It’s All Made Up Prod and now has a broadcaster attached.

Lauren-Nicole headshotLauren said: “When I was researching Babynun XO I spent a huge amount of time speaking to APP’s community of women and families affected by postpartum psychosis – a serious postpartum mental illness that affects around 1,400 women each year. I saw first-hand how vital the charity is when it comes to helping people recover from this devastating illness, and I can’t think of a better cause to fundraise for.”

Postpartum psychosis affects 1-2 in every thousand births in the UK and it can occur completely out of the blue in women with no previous mental health problems. Symptoms include extreme elation or euphoria, sudden mood changes and the rapid onset of unusual beliefs. Women may also experience visual and auditory hallucinations, extreme confusion and anxiety.  It’s a serious illness that should always be considered a medical emergency, however, most women do go on to make a full recovery with the right treatment and support.  In the Blackpool area, APP runs in-person peer support ‘café groups’ as well as providing one-to-one peer support for families affected by PP.

Lauren has been training hard for the past few months in order to take on this significant challenge, something she has had on her bucket list for several years. She said: “I’ve never really considered myself a serious runner before deciding to take on the London Marathon. I used to run 5km and park runs, but since signing up to the Marathon it has become all-consuming. I can’t believe I am now running 30 kilometres on a Saturday each week!

“You can become so fixated on the end goal, but the training in itself, both from a physical and psychological point of view, is a marathon in its own right. It’s safe to say I’m feeling nervous but I keep reminding myself that I am limitless, and I know if I think about the reason I am running and the charity I am raising money for it will absolutely keep me strong and get me through the tough times.”

In 2023 Lauren was selected for BBC Writers Room: Northern Voices where she developed her ideas for TV. More recently, she was chosen as one of the final two writers for the inaugural regional Breakthrough Writers Programme by WARP Films for her original series idea SHIT.GOD.SHIT which was also a stage play.

Felicity Lambert, APP’s National Fundraising Co-ordinator said: “We are all in awe at Lauren’s commitment and passion for fundraising for APP. Running a marathon is no mean feat, and we know that she will not only do us proud on the day, but she has also been raising lots of awareness for the charity and for postpartum psychosis more broadly in the run up as well. We are so grateful for all her support – both in terms of her fundraising efforts and of course the stories she is telling on stage and screen. The more people who know about postpartum psychosis, the more quickly women can be diagnosed and the more lives can be saved.”

Lauren is aiming to raise £1000 for APP by taking part in the London Marathon.
To support her, visit her fundraising page

5 April 2024

Jenny’s story: Postpartum psychosis left me with PTSD – earlier diagnosis might have stopped this from happening

PTSD is so often associated with external traumas – people experiencing a serious incident such as a car crash or serving in a war zone, for example. But while PTSD is a mental health problem in its own right, I discovered that it can actually be brought on by other mental health problems – in my case postpartum psychosis.

In April 2020, I gave birth to my first baby. Within days, I was presenting with signs of postpartum psychosis (PP) – a serious postnatal mental illness that affects around 1,400 women every year in the UK.

Neither myself or my wife had ever heard of PP, so we had no idea what was happening or indeed what to expect – but it was an incredibly distressing period.

When I gave birth, we were in national lockdown. This meant that I was alone most of the time as I wasn’t able to have any visitors. I remember that I wasn’t eating properly, and it got to the point that I simply couldn’t stomach any food or drink – even a little sip of water would be spat straight back out. I was becoming really anxious and frightened as well and I wasn’t sure why, but I was constantly pacing the room alone.

After a while I started watching films on my phone as a distraction, but the sounds from the films became really overwhelming and disturbing, so I stopped watching almost completely. I was also struggling with my memory and wasn’t able to recall simple instructions the midwife was giving me, and my moods became erratic too. I would be really low in the early part of the day, but by around 4pm each day I became really wired, like I was buzzing on a high level of adrenaline.

I started believing strange things, for example that the painkillers I was taking were building up in my throat, and I got songs stuck in my head, tormenting me as I tried to sleep. But sleep simply wasn’t happening, so I would just sit awake all night staring at my baby daughter. One night, I felt so overwhelmed that I asked the nurse to take my baby away for a while. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over the guilt that I felt about that, and it formed a big part of my illness because I was so ashamed by it.

When I went home from hospital, friends started worrying because my text messages were a bit strange, and I refused to let anybody else, including my wife, hold my daughter. I started experiencing suicidal thoughts, stopped speaking to people and refused to leave the house. There was lots of pacing and I had really bad pins and needles and I felt very confused.

After many sleepless nights, extreme distress and being unable to properly eat or drink I was diagnosed with PP. I was so terrified of going back into hospital though, especially as it was during lockdown, so I was treated at home by the community team.

Eventually, the medication I was given started to work and the PP symptoms began to subside. However, even after all the psychotic symptoms disappeared, I realised that there were certain triggers and times of the year that made me feel really anxious and unwell again.

April is a particularly difficult time for me.

So many simple, everyday sights and sounds take me back to the feelings I experienced when I was unwell in 2020. From the Spring sunlight streaming in through the window to the birds singing in the morning and even the bin men coming to collect the bins - all these things trigger memories of postpartum psychosis and the distress and shame I was feeling at the time.

Over a year after experiencing PP, I realised that what I was now going through was PTSD connected to those traumatic memories of being so unwell and anxious. I found a trauma therapist who specialised in birth trauma, and we spent some time looking at anxiety and how to deal with triggers – as well as the worries about future triggers which form a big part of my PTSD. We also did some relaxation exercises and some counselling linked to the guilt I was feeling about being so unwell and asking the midwife to take my baby away from me overnight. I also tried some EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing which helps you process traumatic memories). Combined, all these treatments, as well as moving house which was incidental, helped me to put some distance between me and my experience of PP.

Since having these treatments, Springtime last year was much better – I wasn’t completely trauma and anxiety free, but I was definitely in a better place.

I am still a bit anxious about this year’s change of season being just around the corner, but I am hoping it will be better still and am prepared to do more work with my therapist if I need to.

I still have feelings of guilt and regret relating to my experience of PP, but I have accepted that it wasn’t my fault and it doesn’t make me a bad mum. And our family, which has since grown adding two more children to the mix, is so close and bonded.

I don’t think many people realise that experiencing a mental health problem can actually trigger PTSD longer term. The symptoms of psychosis might have gone long ago, but I do have to keep working at the residual trauma of it all and learning how best to manage the triggers. It’s definitely getting better, but I think it’s something we should talk about more, and I also think that, if there was more awareness of PP amongst the general public and health professionals, I could have been diagnosed earlier, which may have decreased the intensity of the trauma I experienced.

One thing I have learnt throughout all this is that it’s so important not to minimise what you’re going through. The sooner you can get help and support the less traumatic the experience will be.

1 April 2024

APP's big weekend of running!

This weekend sees 10 APP fundraisers taking to the streets, covering over 200km between them, taking part in events from Paris to Fleetwood! 

Brighton Marathon

We have three amazing runners taking on the Brighton Marathon this Sunday - Mollie, Chris and Gen.

Mollie in her purple APP topMollie is an experienced APP fundraiser, having already taken part in the Hackney Half for us last year.
She is supporting APP after one of her best friends suffered from PP after the birth of her son. She's been training hard and we can't wait to see how she gets on!
Add your support for Mollie here.

 

 

Chris standing in front of a gate in his APP tshirt

Chris is running in Brighton after attending an event last year where he learnt about postpartum psychosis and the affect it can have on families.
Chris has been keeping a close track of all his training and has an impressive number of stats under his belt:

  • Week one of training - Monday 18th Dec
  • Total runs completed - 60
  • Total miles run - 403
  • Total elevation - 11674 ft
  • Total time running - 66 hours 34 mins
  • Approx Calories 53,325

Add your support for Chris here.

Gen is passionate about supporting and raising awareness of women's mental health issues.
Through fundraising for the Brighton Marathon, Gen has found many people have been in touch who have been affected by PP or other mental health issues.  
Add your support for Gen here.

*****

Paris Marathon

A selfie of James smiling with a sunset behind himJames is our first ever Paris Marathon runner - he's running in memory of one of his sister's closest friends, who lost her life to PP.
He wants to raise awareness of PP and help prevent anyone else going through this in future.
Add your support for James here.

 

 

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London Landmarks

Sisters Rosie & Lillie chose to take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon this weekend because Rosie spent time in hospital with postpartum mental health issues after the birth of her baby.
They really want to raise awareness and help other families affected.
Support the sisters here.

 

Sarah in her APP vestSarah is taking part in the London Landmarks after hearing about our place through a friend at her running club and is aiming for a sub 2 hour marathon this weekend!
Add your support for Sarah here.

 

 

 

Jenna in her purple APP t-shirtJenna has had a long run up to the London Landmarks - having originally signed up to take part in 2023, she was forced to withdraw due to injury.  But Jenna was determined not to be defeated and has trained hard ready for the challenge this year.
Add your support for Jenna here.

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Rutland Half

Ollie and his familyOllie is taking on the Rutland Half to mark 10 years since his wife experienced PP after the birth of their daughter.
APP were there to support both him and his wife, and he wants to raise funds so we can be there to support other families. 
Add your support for Ollie here.

 

 

*****

Fleetwood 10k

Matt finishing a runFor Matt, the Fleetwood 10k this weekend is just the first of several events he is taking on in 2024 as part of his fitness and fundraising challenge for APP.
Find out more about what he has planned for the year.
Add your support for Matt here.

 

 

 

*****

Feeling inspired by all of these incredible fundraisers? Fancy taking on your own challenge for APP?

We have lots of ideas here, or you could join in with our Miles for Mums and Babies challenge this May!

Email fundraising@app-network.org if you'd like more info or want to get involved.

18 March 2024

Action on Postpartum Psychosis nationwide awareness campaign continues

In a groundbreaking move to raise awareness about postpartum psychosis, the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) has launched a powerful billboard campaign across the United Kingdom to run throughout March. The impactful initiative has been made possible through the support of the JCDecaux Community Channel and the creative design expertise of agency Mother.

Postpartum psychosis is a treatable medical emergency that affects new mothers, occurring within the first few weeks or months after childbirth. Raising awareness about this illness is crucial to ensure timely intervention and support for the mums and families affected.

The new billboard campaign aims to raise awareness about the condition and signpost to the resources and support APP offers. In addition, there will be a week of billboards promoting an appeal on behalf of the charity by author and APP ambassador Laura Dockrill which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 24th March.

The visually striking designs have been crafted with the pro-bono help of Mother, a renowned creative agency, and developed with leading academic experts as well as those with lived experience of postpartum psychosis. They seek to capture attention and prompt conversation on a scale that hasn’t been achieved before.

Working in partnership with the JCDecaux Community Channel, the campaign is running across digital billboards in major cities across the UK, amplifying the reach of APP's message. More than one million people a week are expected to see the billboards, which will be in high traffic areas.

Chris Dooley, Head of Social Impact at JCDecaux UK, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with APP to raise awareness around postpartum psychosis and the support the charity offers to all those affected. The JCDecaux Community Channel creates real value through the power of the public screen and aims to amplify Out-of-Home’s role as a force for good in the community.”

The campaign kicked off on Monday 4th March, coinciding with International Women’s Day (8th) and Mother’s Day (10th). APP’s appeal with author and APP ambassador Laura Dockrill will be on BBC Radio 4 on 24th March.

Action on Postpartum Psychosis would like to thank the JCDecaux Community Channel and Mother for their invaluable support.

As we embark on this impactful campaign, APP is encouraging people to join the conversation on social media. If you see one of the billboards (and it’s safe to do so) please take a picture or video and share, tagging @ActionOnPP.

You can find out more about help and support with postpartum psychosis here.

To donate to APP’s Radio 4 appeal during appeal week starting 24th March, visit the Radio 4 Appeal webpage.

There are lots of ways to support us and get involved with APP. We'd love you to join us. Sign up to our network here.

14 March 2024

BBC Radio 4 Appeal

BBC Radio 4 will broadcast an appeal on behalf of Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) later this month.

APP Ambassador and author, Laura Dockrill, will present the broadcast, sharing her experience of postpartum psychosis (PP) following the birth of her son. Laura describes how she spent her first Mother’s Day in a psychiatric hospital separated from her three-week old baby and how APP’s peer support helped her find connection, recovery and community.

BBC Radio 4 appeals are weekly three-minute programmes which highlight the work of charities and appeal for donations on their behalf.  Only 49 charities from across the UK are selected to make an appeal each year and APP is delighted to be part of the 2024 programme.

APP’s appeal will be broadcast live on Sunday 24th March at 7.54 am and at 9.25pm. It will then be repeated on Thursday 28th March at 3.27pm.

Dr Jess Heron, APP Chief Executive, says: “The BBC Radio 4 charity appeal is an incredible opportunity for us to raise the profile of APP on a national scale, as well as really help to raise awareness of postpartum psychosis. We want to reach as many people as possible – and we’d love our supporters to spread the word and encourage family, friends and colleagues to listen.”

To find out more, visit the Radio 4 Appeal webpage. Please note, you can only donate to this appeal via the BBC web page from 24th-30th March.

The first £25,000 received in donations will be matched by a generous APP supporter, meaning donations will go twice as far.

Sign up to our newsletter here if you'd like to receive a reminder about our BBC Radio 4 appeal nearer the time.

 

8 March 2024

Next stop on Chris's football tour

We've been posting regular updates about Chris Wasley and his fabulous awareness raising tour of football grounds around the UK. His latest match was at St James Park - home of Newcastle United - where he met with fellow APP supporter Lee Smith.

Here's Chris's report of his most recent football adventure...

'On Friday (1st March), my wife Natalie and I visited the Chorley MBU.  The Chorley Ribblemere MBU is the closest to my wife's hometown of Accrington, where I have already seen a match this season.
So as to not disturb the mums staying there, we understandably didn't go in to the MBU.  But we had a long chat with the Deputy Ward Manager Lauren, explaining our story and my awareness tour and listening to the wonderful work they do there.  As soon as you entered the MBU there was a whole notice board dedicated to APP. Which was great to see! But I was so interested to hear about their new endeavours in being the first MBU in the country to set up a partner programme specifically to support partners post release from the MBU.
Rightly so, medical professionals focus on the mums. The ones who have this severe mental health illness. But not to sound selfish in any way, partners go through a lot too. So it was incredible to hear about their new programme and plans to help support the partners.
On Saturday (2nd March) I attended my fourth match of my football awareness tour! I went to see Newcastle United vs Wolves at the iconic St James Park. What an experience!  St James Park is 17miles from the Northumberland Tyne and Wear MBU at Morpeth.
It was an impressive win for Newcastle after some indifferent results lately, and reignites their hopes for European qualification.
I am so relieved they won and that I am not a guaranteed curse for the home teams on this challenge!
I have to say thank you to Newcastle United, for putting an entry in their match day programme to help me in raising awareness. And to all the fans and stewards at the ground who talked to me about this challenge and all things Postpartum Psychosis and MBUs.
My wife doesn't share my love of football, but she certainly enjoyed experiencing the shops and sights of Newcastle City Centre whilst I was occupied at the match!  But the weekend experience was made all the greater for meeting the amazing Lee Smith in person!
Lee has done some incredible fundraising for APP after his wife Jess experienced Postpartum Psychosis in 2020. He completed a mammoth 12 fundraisers in 12 months and is currently training for the London marathon in April! You've got this mate!
We had a great weekend with Lee exploring the city. It was amazing to meet him in person, to talk about our experiences of Postpartum Psychosis, our families and our love of football.  We will definitely be keeping in touch!
With this being the furthest ground I had travelled to so far, over 300 miles away from home, we also took the opportunity to visit the Northumberland Tyne and Wear MBU at Morpeth on Monday 4th March.
We were welcomed in to the MBU by the Ward Manager Sarah, who was kind enough to give us a tour of the MBU and to speak to the staff. Everyone was so friendly, and again it was so wonderful to hear about all the amazing work they do there.
The Northumberland Tyne and Wear MBU have an amazing integrated peer supporter who clearly provides invaluable support and hope. It was such a warm and welcoming environment, which clearly help new mums on the road to recovery.
It has been really interesting this trip to see and hear how different the MBUs are.
I know from our experience at the Bournemouth MBU, and from speaking to Lee and other dads in the PP community, how important the MBUs are. There aren't enough MBUs in the UK, and they really do deserve to be brought to the public's attention more. Which hopefully I am doing on this challenge.
For the first time, I don't actually know what fixture is next on my list!  It has all been quite busy recently, and before I know it the season will have drawn to a close. I am trying to fit in a fifth match this season if I can, but if not I will be ready and waiting for the new seasons fixture releases to go again!
I have to say I am really enjoying this personal challenge. It has certainly evolved and grown (for the better!) since my original idea. I am so honoured by all of the support I have experienced at the grounds I have visited so far, by the clubs themselves in supporting my challenge and also the fans and football communities for taking the time to talk to me about MBUs and Postpartum Psychosis.
I am so excited to continue this challenge and for the adventures to come!'
UPDATE 18.04.2024
Chris has managed to squeeze in one more match before the season ends - this time he travelled to London for an all important derby match!
Chris says: 'Match #5 of my first season of my awareness tour complete! I am happy with that!  On Sunday 14th April I attended my fifth match of my football awareness tour.  I went to see West Ham United lose two nil against Fulham at the London Stadium in the east-versus-west London derby!

Chris and his friend inside the stadium

I went to the game with one of my oldest friends Lee 'Kiddo' who I have known since primary school. Lee and his family and friends are devoted Irons and have followed West Ham all over the world!
To my surprise, despite very high demand, I was able to get an entry about my challenge, Postpartum Psychosis and the MBUs in the match day programme - Thank you West Ham.
West Ham and the London Stadium is less than 3 miles from the City and Hackney MBU and during the week I was able to have a few phone calls with the City and Hackney MBU. Being a weekend I wasn't able to visit in person, but we have agreed that should I return this way in the future we will organise a visit. I guess I will just have to find another ground to visit for my challenge...
This was my last fixture this season, so I will be ready and waiting for the new seasons fixture releases to go again.
Up next for me is something very different - I am very honoured to have been asked to talk about my experience of Postpartum Psychosis at the Surrey University Student Midwives Conference on the 21st May.  I understand there will be a few hundred student midwives in attendance. So this is certainly a new and exciting (and scary!) opportunity for me!'
Thank you Chris and we can't wait to hear about your plans for next season's fixtures!
The match day programme featuring Chris
Chris has now set up an Instagram page specifically for his challenge - you can follow him here
6 March 2024

APP March newsletter

Happy Mother’s Day

The APP team would like to wish you a very happy Mother’s Day for Sunday.

However you plan to spend the day, we hope it will be a special time for you. If you would like to support APP, you can buy Mother's Day cards at Making A Difference Cards. You’ll find a big selection of cards – both virtual and actual! – which you can personalise and add photographs as well as images.

For those who find the day difficult, feeling like recovery from postpartum psychosis is still some way off or remembering mums who are no longer with us, APP is here to support you. Our volunteers are on the forum every day of the year, or you can request email or video call support here.

BBC Appeal

Our BBC Radio 4 appeal will be airing very soon. Make a note in your diaries for 7.54am on Sunday 24th March to hear the first broadcast live (it will also broadcast again later that day at 9.25pm, and again on Thursday 28th at 3.27pm, plus it will be available forever via BBC Sounds).

Our ambassador Laura Dockrill (pictured above) is presenting our appeal and we’re so excited for everyone to hear it. We would love you all to help us spread the word about – please look out for posts on our social media platforms (@ActionOnPP) from 14th March onwards and like, comment and share!

We’d also like to ask you to invite your friends, family and networks to listen in and be part of the campaign – raising awareness of PP really does save lives. Could you host a listening party – get a group of friends or colleagues together for a cup of tea and listen in? Or perhaps simply send a message with a link to listen to your most active WhatsApp groups?

If you have been helped by APP, we’d love to make a collage of selfies of people from our network holding a piece of paper with one word that expresses what peer support means to you (see the picture of APP National Coordinator Jenny Stevenson below for an example), or maybe you could send us a short quote about what peer support means to you. Please send them to us by 11th March. We’ll be using these words and images for a social media campaign around the time of our broadcast.

Most importantly, listen in and share with as many people as you can! All donations up to £25,000 will be matched by a generous donor - so your support will make a massive difference.

New billboard campaign

This March keep an eye out for our first ever APP billboard campaign which will be popping up on digital billboards all over the UK. The impactful initiative has been made possible through the support of the JCDecaux Community Channel and the creative design expertise of agency Mother.  If you see one out and about, and it’s safe to do so, please do take a picture and share on social media, tagging @ActionOnPP.

You can read more about the billboard campaign here.

Miles for Mums and Babies

Our Miles for Mums and Babies challenge is just around the corner, and we’d love you to start thinking about how you might like to get involved.

Each year to mark Maternal Mental Health Week, we ask our supporters to take on a challenge to help raise funds and awareness for APP. In 2023, we had runners, cyclists, swimmers, paddleboarders, toddlers and hikers taking part all over the country. With Miles for Mums and Babies, you choose your own challenge: pick a number that means something to you – maybe the number of miles you or your family had to travel to the Mother and Baby Unit where you were treated – and decide how you want to complete those miles. You could do it alone, with a friend, or get a whole team together. Do it in one day, over a week, or across the month. It’s entirely up to you! Get inspired and find out more here or email Fliss at fundraising@app-network.org for more information.

Chester MBU groundbreaking

APP staff and volunteers were delighted to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony in January for Chester’s new Mother and Baby Unit.

The eight-bed unit which will support new and expectant parents across Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales will be called Seren Lodge. The name has been chosen by mums who have experienced postpartum psychosis. APP volunteer Nia said: “It was important to the group to choose a name which signified hope and positivity, but also something which was welcoming to families no matter where they live. The name ‘Seren’ translates as ‘star’ in Welsh and ‘lodge’ felt homely and not clinical at all, which we thought was perfect.”

The picture above shows APP volunteers Sarah (front row, second left) and Nia (front row, third right), along with APP’s national co-ordinator Hannah Bissett (front row, 2nd right) at the ceremony.

You can read more about this news story here.

Seren Lodge is due to open next winter and is a result of a partnership between Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCHUB), Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England and NHS Wales.

Women’s Winter Webinar: understanding postpartum psychosis

Experts and women with lived experience from APP took part in a webinar on the latest postpartum psychosis research earlier this week.

The event was part of the National Centre for Mental Health’s Women’s Winter Webinar series.  The sessions aim to raise awareness of the conditions featured and are open to the general public as well as health professionals and those with an interest in mental health research.

If you missed the live event, a recording of the webinar will be available on the NCMH’s YouTube channel.

Books about PP

Will You Read This, Please?, edited by Joanna Cannon, is a collection of stories from people about living with mental illness. The opening chapter has been written by Jenn Ashworth and Nicola Knight, who has lived experience of postpartum psychosis. The book also features a chapter by author and APP Ambassador, Catherine Cho.

Joanna will be chairing a special event at the Southbank Centre in London on 19th May. In “Stories of Living with Mental Illness” the panel will share their experiences of working on the book and highlight illnesses which aren’t often discussed or written about. You can book tickets here.

The Snow Globe by Jenny Pagdin is a poetry collection detailing Jenny’s own experience of PP. The book includes poems of pregnancy, birth, illness, and shame as well as rebuilding, love, and hope.

Jenny says: “Postpartum psychosis only affects around two in every thousand births, and stigma makes it difficult for people to share first-person accounts. Poetic accounts are especially rare. The Snow Globe employs a wide range of forms, oftentimes bespoke to this collection, reflecting multiple and jarring realities.”

Mark Williams’ new book How Are You, Dad? tells his story of coming through depression following the birth of his son and how his experience inspired his campaigning work including founding International Father’s Mental Health Day. The book also features a contribution/chapter from Simon O’Mara, APP’s Partner Peer Support Coordinator.

In Mad Mothers: A memoir of postpartum psychosis, abuse, and recovery, Lorna May Davies tells her story of developing postpartum psychosis after the birth of her daughter. Lorna decided to write the book to help people understand and overcome PP.

APP’s Book Club is meeting via Zoom on Wednesday 13th March to discuss Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood by Lucy Jones. New members are always welcome. You can book your free place here.

In the media

APP volunteer Tara and Chief Executive, Dr Jess Heron, spoke to the Guardian about the need to improve access to Mother and Baby Units.  Tara also shared her story with Belfast Live.

APP Storyteller Ruth shared her postpartum psychosis experience with OK!

Our storyteller Emily shared her story in the Express and the Mirror.

APP’s Training Coordinator, Dr Sally Wilson, took part in a discussion about postpartum psychosis from the Beyond Baby Blues Podcast series.

Thank you to our fundraisers

A massive thank you to everyone taking part in a fundraiser for us this month – challenge season is definitely up and running again!

Andrew Rolfe completed the Paris Half Marathon last weekend. Fionnuala Sutton is taking on 10k in Nottingham next weekend. And Chris, Emma and their son Arthur will be running the Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon on 24th March as a family.

Also, a big thank you to everyone who has hosted a Facebook birthday fundraiser for us. Already this year we have raised £1,284 and it's only March!

Coming up next month, we have APP runners taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, Brighton Marathon, Rutland Half, the Paris Marathon and we even have four runners taking on the official London Marathon. Fancy a challenge later in the year? Get in touch: fundraising@app-network.org.

Mums and mental health survey

The National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) and Action on Postpartum Psychosis are working together to understand more about the causes and triggers of severe mental illness during pregnancy and following childbirth. You are invited to take part in this research if you have experienced postpartum psychosis or other severe mental illness around childbirth. For more information and to sign up to participate, please click here.

Dates for your diary

  • International Women’s Day, Friday 8th March
  • Mother’s Day, Sunday 10th March
  • APP Lancashire and south Cumbria virtual café group meet up, Monday 11th March
  • APP Book Club virtual meeting, Wednesday 13th March 2024. Discussing Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood by Lucy Jones. Book your free place here.
  • APP Northern Ireland virtual café group meet up, Thursday 14th March
  • APP Birmingham face to face café group meet up in Birmingham, Friday 15th March
  • APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Preston, Friday 15th March
  • APP Manchester face to face café group meet up in Manchester, Friday 15th March
  • APP Scotland face to face café group meet up in Edinburgh, Saturday 16th March
  • APP Sussex and Hampshire face to face café group meet up, Saturday 16th March
  • APP Yorkshire virtual café group meet up in Sheffield, Tuesday 19th March
  • APP dads and co-parents virtual café group meet up, Wednesday 20th March
  • World Storytelling Day, Wednesday 20th March
  • World Poetry Day, Thursday 21st March
  • APP London virtual café group meet up, Thursday 21st March
  • APP Black Country face to face café group meet up in Walsall, Tuesday 26th March
  • World Bipolar Day, Saturday 30th March
  • APP Manchester face to face café group meet up in Manchester, Friday 26th April
  • APP Black Country face to face café group meet up in Walsall, Tuesday 30th April

Contact information for all APP café groups is available here.

Events and conferences

Black Maternal Health Conference UK, Monday 18th March

Organised by the Motherhood Group, this London conference features keynote speakers and panel discussions focusing on how health equity for Black mothers can be achieved. More details and ticket booking here.

Bipolar UK annual conference, Saturday 20th March

Free annual conference which is the culmination of a week-long series of online events, including:

  • 8pm-9pm Tuesday 26th March – Rotary Bipolar eClub hosts an ‘in conversation with’ session with a special guest
  • 12.30pm-1.30pm Thursday 28th March – Bipolar Research Webinar: The world’s leading bipolar-focused researchers share their latest projects, findings and advice to help you live well with bipolar
  • 6pm-8pm Saturday 30th March – Flagship Conference Event, featuring an inspiring speaker, an expert Q&A on bipolar at work, and a round-up of the charity’s activities past, present and future. Sign up here.
  • 12.30pm-1.30pm Tuesday 2nd April – Panel Discussion: Can Advance Choice Documents save bipolar lives?

There’s more information about the week and the annual conference here.

If you would like to advertise your event here, please get in touch: app@app-network.org.

29 February 2024

Action on Postpartum Psychosis launches nationwide awareness campaign with billboards across the UK

In a groundbreaking move to raise awareness about postpartum psychosis, the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) is launching a powerful billboard campaign across the United Kingdom throughout March. The impactful initiative has been made possible through the support of the JCDecaux Community Channel and the creative design expertise of agency Mother.

Postpartum psychosis is a treatable medical emergency that affects new mothers, occurring within the first few weeks or months after childbirth. Raising awareness about this illness is crucial to ensure timely intervention and support for the mums and families affected.

The new billboard campaign aims to raise awareness about the condition and signpost to the resources and support APP offers. In addition, there will be a week of billboards promoting an appeal on behalf of the charity by author and APP ambassador Laura Dockrill which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 24th March.

The visually striking designs have been crafted with the pro-bono help of Mother, a renowned creative agency, and developed with leading academic experts as well as those with lived experience of postpartum psychosis. They seek to capture attention and prompt conversation on a scale that hasn’t been achieved before.

Working in partnership with the JCDecaux Community Channel, the campaign is running across digital billboards in major cities across the UK, amplifying the reach of APP's message. More than one million people a week are expected to see the billboards, which will be in high traffic areas.

Chris Dooley, Head of Social Impact at JCDecaux UK, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with APP to raise awareness around postpartum psychosis and the support the charity offers to all those affected. The JCDecaux Community Channel creates real value through the power of the public screen and aims to amplify Out-of-Home’s role as a force for good in the community.”

The campaign kicks off on Monday 4th March, coinciding with International Women’s Day (8th) and Mother’s Day (10th). APP’s appeal with author and APP ambassador Laura Dockrill will be on BBC Radio 4 on 24th March.

Action on Postpartum Psychosis would like to thank the JCDecaux Community Channel and Mother for their invaluable support.

As we embark on this impactful campaign, APP is encouraging people to join the conversation on social media. If you see one of the billboards (and it’s safe to do so) please take a picture or video and share, tagging @ActionOnPP.

You can find out more about help and support with postpartum psychosis here.

To donate to APP’s Radio 4 appeal during appeal week, starting 24th March, visit the Radio 4 Appeal webpage or search online for BBC Radio 4 Appeal.

There are lots of ways to support us and get involved with APP. We'd love you to join us. Sign up to our network here.

27 February 2024

Laura's story: I woke up in hospital on my first Mother’s Day

It was 2018. Hugo and I had an extremely happy, healthy, normal pregnancy. There was no reason anything should go wrong, no warning signs. But when it came to the birth itself, I ended up having a really traumatic labour and a C-section, and we were told our gorgeous little boy, Jet, had been starving in the womb.

Once he arrived safely, Jet needed to feed all the time to get his weight back up. I was already sleep deprived and was scared and in shock from the labour, so I started feeling all these feelings – anxiety, fear and restlessness. I had no idea how you were supposed to feel after giving birth, and I’d never experienced any mental health problems prior to this, so I thought it must be normal.

Jet and I were kept on a ward because he was underweight and I had been through such a traumatic birth. But being in such a distressed state, to me it felt like a carousel of hell. One baby would wake up, one mum would be crying, one dad would be crying. It all felt too much, I was completely unable to sleep and I was feeding Jet non-stop around the clock.

Then my feelings of dread and doom massively intensified.

I felt like something really, really bad was going to happen but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I kept thinking that when we get home with Hugo we’ll all be OK and things will calm down. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

When we arrived back home it felt as though I was in some kind of vacant holiday home. It didn’t feel like the home I loved. Within days – possibly even hours – I was experiencing racing thoughts, delusions, I couldn’t eat, sleep or concentrate on anything. I was very unwell but looking back I do feel I was explaining my symptoms quite coherently to the health professionals. However, I wasn’t given any diagnosis and we were more or less left to get on with it.

The delusions started becoming obvious to others soon after, particularly to Hugo. I started thinking that every ambulance or police car was coming for me, that teddy bears had cameras in their eyes and that Hugo was trying to steal our baby. Eventually, I became suicidal.

I was admitted to a psych ward when Jet was just three weeks old.

At that point I was so out of touch with reality I wasn’t sure if I was going to a police station, a zoo or an asylum to be locked up. The idea of a psych ward feels like a frightening place anyway but now I know that psychiatric patients are just like anyone else – just like you and me. In fact, more than anything, being admitted to the psych ward actually filled me with relief – I felt that I’d finally found the right type of help that was needed.

Waking up the next morning alone in this room with no baby, no Hugo and these starchy white sheets, I realised that it was the first time I’d slept in three weeks. I remember the nurses saying ‘it’s Sunday today so just chill’ but my brain was racing in some kind of frantic hell. It was, in fact, my first Mother’s Day.

I started therapy from the Monday alongside people in addiction, or diagnosed with a personality disorder or schizophrenia, and it took me a while to work out why I was there. But I’m pleased I’m a bit of a goodie two-shoes because I did everything the doctors told me – attending the sessions, taking the meds. But recovery was really up and down, and for a while I was still occasionally thinking that Hugo was part of a conspiracy.

After two weeks in hospital I fell into a deep depression - which in some ways felt worse. Depression has this awful effect of making you feel like you’re in debt to everyone for everything. I felt guilty because I’d taken time out from motherhood – but it wasn’t like I was snorkelling in the Maldives!

I was on anti psychotics, antidepressants, sleeping pills – I felt like a zombie mum, so I certainly couldn’t just get back to parenting no problem. Hugo and I really relied on our bond and our trust. My conspiracies were off the wall, but Hugo really knew me and helped me, giving me time and patience.

I was also really worried that my bond with Jet was compromised. But when he bumped his head and he wanted me I kind of thought ah - he does forgive me, he does love me and trust me.

Taking action to recover

There’s a large part of recovery you have to do yourself – you have to take whatever steps you feel able to. I taught myself CBT, read every book that everyone had written on motherhood and mental illness, I spent time with my beautiful friends and family, and met other mums who had been through what I had at APP café groups.

The beautiful thing about losing the plot is that you just don’t care anymore it’s so liberating! Things don’t bother me as much as they used to. Rejections happen all the time in my work as a writer and I more easily take them in my stride these days. And if I trip over in the street I just don’t care - I’ve waved goodbye to shame and guilt – they are useless emotions that we really don’t need. And to think that Hugo and Jet would ever hold me accountable for this illness that wasn’t my fault was just ridiculous.

Writing my memoir has also really helped me.

I think Hugo and my family were worried it might be too triggering for me but it really does come down to acceptance – I wasn’t trying to rail against it or be angry at it. Writing about it is like trying to bottle a night terror. It’s so meta - you’re trying to tell a story within a story. When your brain cracks like that, you believe anything. If you told me at the time that I was a crisp I would have believed you – I might have thought, oh this is because I didn’t look after my hamster when I was ten and he’s getting his own back. Throw into that the irregularities of a newborn, the spontaneity, the unpredictability, the expectations – it’s a complete recipe for madness.

But we made it out alive! And writing played an important part in helping me to process what we had been through. It was like the final part of my recovery.

Laura’s book, What Have I Done? is published by Square Peg and available from all good bookstores. To find out more click here.

Laura also presents a BBC Radio 4 Appeal for APP, broadcasting on 24th March 2024.

5 February 2024

Name revealed for new Mother and Baby Unit

The name of a new regional Mother and Baby mental health unit has been revealed.

Preparatory building work officially started in November on the £7.5m single storey building, which is the first of its kind across Cheshire, Merseyside, and North Wales.

The name ‘Seren Lodge’ has been chosen by Mums who have experienced maternal mental ill-health and features a nod to the new cross-border partnership with NHS Wales.

 

Nia Foulkes, APP storyteller, said: “It was important to the group to choose a name which signified hope and positivity, but also something which was welcoming to families no matter where they live. The name ‘Seren’ translates as ‘star’ in Welsh and ‘lodge’ felt homely and not clinical at all, which we thought was perfect.

 

Sarah Dearden, APP storyteller, added: “Having previously been admitted to a unit which was really far away from home, it is particularly exciting to see the new site as it today and know that our ideas and designs are being put into action. Units like this make a huge impact by keeping babies and their mothers together at a crucial time.”

 

The unit is a result of a partnership between Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCHUB), Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England and NHS Wales and will see a disused training centre transformed into a new specialist, eight bedded unit for perinatal mothers, babies and their families. Once open the unit will work alongside the existing regional Community Perinatal Mental Health service who already care for thousands of women every year.

 

The occasion was marked with a special ground-breaking ceremony. Mums from across the region joined members of the clinical, construction and project teams to place the first official spade in the ground.

 

Preparatory work on the project is progressing well with both external and internal designs agreed, enabling building works underway and recruitment for the new centre set to begin imminently.

 

 

 

Suzanne Edwards, CWP director of operations and deputy CEO, said: “The new unit will support new and expectant mothers in a therapeutic environment which has been purposefully designed for people experiencing maternal mental health difficulties, such as post-natal depression, psychosis or a relapse of an existing mental health condition.

“It is estimated that one in four women experience mental health problems in pregnancy and during the 24 months after giving birth. Whilst only a small number of women will need admission to a specialist unit like Seren Lodge, I’m delighted that we’ll be able to offer this care closer to home, in addition to the thousands of families we see in the community every year.”

 

 

A group of people in hi vis jackets and hard hats, holding a spade. The photo includes APP storytellers Sarah (front row, second left) and Nia (front row 3rd right), along with APP’s national co-ordinator Hannah Bissett (front row 2nd right) join the team to celebrate the groundbreaking
APP storytellers Sarah (front row, second left) and Nia (front row 3rd right), along with APP’s national co-ordinator Hannah Bissett (front row 2nd right) join the team to celebrate the groundbreaking

 

 

Dr Alberto Salmoiraghi, medical director for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Division, said: “We’re delighted that Seren Lodge will enable high quality specialist care to be provided to new and expectant mothers from across North Wales, Cheshire, Wirral, and Merseyside in a purpose built, recovery focused environment.

“Women from North Wales who have a lived experience of perinatal mental illness have played a central role in designing this new service and we’re very pleased to see that this is reflected in the name of the unit. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to deliver this much-needed unit.”

 

Once open, Seren Lodge will provide a home from home for women and their babies and include a nursery, sensory room, and multiple lounges to support quiet time and family visits. Having access to outside spaces is central to the development with two garden areas and a walking pram loop, with families benefitting from close access to the Countess Country Park.

 

Dr Jessica Heron, APP’s chief executive, added:
“We are so delighted to see the progress being made. The new unit will mean new mothers across North Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside with severe postnatal illness will be cared for appropriately and supported with parenting, without having to travel miles from their families to other areas of the UK or ending up in adult psychiatric wards separated from their newborn. APP has been working with the team to ensure the voices of lived experience are heard throughout the development process, inputting into the design and functionality of the MBU. APP volunteers are keen to ensure the unit meets the needs of families from across North Wales and Cheshire and Merseyside.”

 

Seren Lodge is set to open next winter.