Action on Postpartum Psychosis | The national charity for mums and families affected by postpartum psychosis

23 April 2026

APP April 2026 Newsletter

Join us for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (MMHAW) runs from Monday 4th to Sunday 10th May. We’d love as many people as possible to get involved, raising awareness of postpartum psychosis (PP) to ensure anyone affected doesn’t feel alone and knows where they can turn to for help and support.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day, #PPPAwarenessDay, is being marked on Friday 1st May.

The MMHAW campaign has been running for ten years so the theme for the week, which is organised by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, is ‘A Decade of Voices.’

To find out more, follow @ActionOnPP on social media and like, comment on and share our posts to help spread awareness. You can join our Network community for email updates and sign up here for our Miles for Mums and Babies Challenge this May.

There are also details of some of the special events we’ve organised below.

Lived experience workshop - creative writing

To mark this year’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, we are delighted that Laura Dockrill, What Have I Done? author and Action on Postpartum Psychosis Ambassador (pictured above), is running another session for our lived experience network.

The writing workshop will be taking place over Zoom on Friday 8th May, 12.30pm-1.30pm.

Join us for a relaxed creative writing session offering a warm, gentle, no-pressure environment to write for you and your wellbeing.

No writing experience is required and there is no need for fancy vocabulary or incredible spelling and grammar skills. This is a chance for your heart and head to do some talking. So, leave that inner-critic and expectation behind. All you need is something to write with and on.

If you have lived experience of postpartum psychosis, you can book your place here.

Join us in creating a collaborative poem to be shared in Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

To help celebrate ‘A Decade of Voices’, the theme of this year’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, we would like to create and share a collaborative poem.

Anyone within our network can take part - we’d love for you to join us!

If you would like to contribute, please send us a line using the sentence starter ‘My voice found strength when…’. This could be linked to your recovery from postpartum psychosis, or the experience of a friend or loved one. It could be to do with maternal mental health advocacy and awareness-raising. You might not feel your voice has strength right now - but through this collaborative piece we hope we can amplify your voice and offer reassurance and comfort to others.

Please email your line to app@app-network.org and attach an audio recording of you reading the line too, if you would like to. Please send in your contributions by Thursday 30th April.

We will then stitch the contributions together to form a poem, a collection of phrases, whatever format the contributions end up taking when we see what we have got! We look forward to sharing this with you during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.

APP peer support embedded in Mother and Baby Units: webinar to launch research findings

As part of this year’s MMHA Week, the findings from the RAPPORT study evaluating APP’s peer support embedded in Mother and Baby Units are being launched at a special webinar.

RAPPORT (Realist evaluation of Action on Postpartum Psychosis MBU-embedded peer suppORT), led by Dr Annette Bauer at the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, has been assessing APP-provided peer support at three Mother and Baby Units in England (Lancashire, Birmingham and Manchester).

At the webinar on Thursday 7th May, the research team will share key insights on: the importance of providing peer support in MBUs; the impact on recovering women, the health professional team, and on peer supporters; and the essential ingredients for safe, supportive peer support delivery. The event will bring together researchers, clinicians, commissioners, peer support staff and people with lived experience to share findings and discuss implications for practice and future research. It’s free to attend. You can book your place here.

POSIE study Parliamentary launch

An APP-supported study that aims to transform postpartum mental health care for mothers from ethnically diverse backgrounds had its Parliamentary launch on 14th April.

Forty-two percent of maternal deaths between 6 weeks and 12 months after birth are due to suicide or mental health related causes. Black mums are three times more likely, and Asian mums twice as likely, than their white counterparts to die following childbirth.

The Improving Postpartum Outcomes of Severe Mental Illnesses in Ethnically Diverse Mothers (POSIE) project, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is a collaboration between several UK universities, NHS Trusts and charities, led by the University of Oxford. It aims to identify practical ways to improve care for mothers from diverse backgrounds experiencing severe postpartum mental illness, including psychosis.

Shaheda Akhtar, APP’s peer support facilitator, who is leading Patient and Public Involvement for the project, attended the launch. She says:

I was really honoured to speak alongside Professor Dame Lesley Regan DBE, Luciana Berger, Professor Faye Ruddock DL and my POSIE project colleagues. A huge thank you to Liz Twist for chairing the session and to Policy Connect for organising the event. With so many experts and advocates in the maternal mental health space in the room, this study is well placed to drive meaningful, sustainable change for women from diverse communities.

To learn more about the POSIE Project, you can read more here.

Shaheda is pictured above (right) with APP’s Chief Executive Dr Jess Heron (centre) and APP’s National Marketing and Digital Communications Coordinator Jessie Hunt (left)

Born from Experience film series launch

Members of the APP team attended the launch of the ‘Born from Experience’ film series in March.

Dr Sally Wilson, APP National Training Coordinator, Jocelyn Ellams, our NW Region Peer Support Manager and APP volunteer Nia all share their experiences in the videos, which aim to help reduce stigma as well as support health professionals and families in recognising the realities of perinatal mental health conditions.

The videos were created by the Helix Forum, a partnership of NHS providers led by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Foundation, which designs and delivers specialised mental health services. The ‘Born from Experience’ event, held at The Picture House in Chester, was organised to celebrate the Forum’s inputting of lived experience into the design of Seren Lodge Mother and Baby Unit in Chester and these videos.

Jocelyn says:

What a memorable day! I never imagined I’d see myself on the big screen - let alone sharing my experience of postpartum psychosis alongside such inspiring mums from the Helix Forum.

You can watch the full film series here.

If you are interested in being involved with Helix please click here.

Black Maternal Health Conference

APP’s Rachel and Jessie (pictured above) attended the Black Maternal Health Conference in London on Friday 20th March.

Organised by The Motherhood Group, the event celebrated 10 years of impact, highlighting Black maternal health and bringing together mothers, healthcare professionals, VCSEs, organisations, policymakers, students and partners from across the UK.

Rachel says:

It was an enlightening and informative day, with speakers including doulas, surgeons, influencers and authors calling for better treatment for Black mums while giving birth. I thoroughly enjoyed the event and met lots of new people including Sandra Igwe, founder of The Motherhood Group.

Rachel runs APP’s Black mums peer support café group. If you are a Black mum who has experienced mania, bipolar or psychosis after giving birth and would like to connect and talk with other Black mums, you can join our online meeting on the third Friday of every month. To find out more or sign up, email rachelr@app-network.org.

Join our wellbeing event: Matrescence workshop with Maggie Gordon-Walker

APP is running a special wellbeing workshop for people who have experienced psychosis in the perinatal period. The session will focus on becoming a mother, known as matrescence, and how understanding it can help you.

In this 1.5hr session on Thursday 25th June, Maggie Gordon-Walker (pictured above), founder of Mothers Uncovered and advocate for maternal mental health; will explain some of the changes that matrescence can bring. Then using written prompts and guided discussion, we will explore some of those changes that you have experienced.

Book your free place here.

APP at the Perinatal Mental Health Network Research Forum

APP’s Hannah Bissett attended the first in-person Research Forum organised by the North West Coast Perinatal Mental Health Network. Hannah writes:

“With more than 50 passionate and brilliant people in one room, it was great to build connection and community as part of our NHS partnership project in the Lancashire & South Cumbria region.

I presented findings from the RAPPORT study looking at APP’s embedded peer support projects in Mother and Baby Units. The study is now in the final stages of evaluation and it’s really exciting to see the interesting themes that are emerging, from women and families we have supported, our peer supporters and also NHS colleagues.

Research presentations covered a wide variety of topics, but the overall thread of lived experience and involvement for women and families was powerfully represented throughout. Thanks to Beth Luxmore, Stef Maudsley and colleagues from NWCoast, LSCFT and throughout the region for a great day – looking forward to the next one!”

Best practice care for postpartum psychosis: book an APP training session for your team

All Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) and Perinatal Mental Health Team (PMHT) staff should be trained in best practice management of postpartum psychosis.

In this session, you’ll hear from people with lived experience, as well as academics and clinicians. Our training is highly rated, with consistently excellent feedback, and 100% of attendees say they would recommend it to colleagues.

If your MBU or Perinatal Mental Health Team is already receiving APP training, new starters can access our online training free of charge for the next 18 months.

APP also now offers 1-2 hour specialist lunchtime sessions for MBUs, covering topics such as working with peer supporters - aimed at helping staff understand how to work effectively with peer supporters.

Training is available for maternity staff, health visitors, GPs, A&E, ambulance staff and other professionals. For more information or to book a training session in, please contact training@app-network.org.

APP perimenopause virtual café group

Perimenopause can be a difficult time for people who have had a postpartum psychosis episode. We’re running a special peer support group around perimenopause on 29th April between 12pm and 1pm.

APP Ambassador, Dr Clare Dolman is a mental health researcher, who has had postpartum psychosis herself and lives with bipolar. In this session, she’ll discuss what is known about perimenopause and the risk of relapse, how we can identify it, what is known about prevention and management. The meeting will also include a group discussion.

This perimenopause café group is a place to share experiences and make new friends. Support from others who have 'been there' too is so important.

This meet-up takes place online via video call. Book your place here.

In the media

Huge congratulations to the BBC Spotlight team: their Mums in Crisis programme which investigated perinatal mental health care in Northern Ireland, has been shortlisted as one of the finalists in the Amnesty Media Awards 2026. The programme explained how urgently a Mother and Bay Unit (MBU) is needed to save lives and prevent trauma. APP’s Northern Ireland media consultant, Liz Morrison, worked with programme producers, supporting them to meet members of our Northern Ireland café group, and others from the APP team. The Amnesty Media Awards Ceremony will be held in London on 6th May.

APP storytellers Frankie and Lizzy appeared on ITV Calendar News in April, sharing their experiences of PP and the need for awareness along with quick, appropriate treatment and access to Mother and Baby Unit care. Both stories reached a wide audience both through the regional news programme for the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire area and through ITV X/ social media reels. Our National Coordinator (NHS Contracts) Hannah was also interviewed.

APP Peer Support Facilitator Shaheda Akhtar appeared on The Delivery Room podcast sharing her experience of PP and highlighting the need for awareness and understanding.

APP volunteer Sofii and our National Training Coordinator, Sally Wilson spoke to BBC News Online about the importance of specialist care for postpartum psychosis and what’s available for women in Wales.

Fundraiser Rory shared his family’s experience of PP and why he’s running the London Marathon for APP. Read the full story in Belfast Live and the Belfast Telegraph.

Volunteer Chris Wasley spoke to Radio Halesowen Town FC about his tour of football grounds, to raise awareness of PP and the importance of Mother and Baby Units.

APP Trustee, Tracey Robinson, has shared her experience of PP in two podcasts:

Fabulous fundraisers

The coming weekend is a BIG one for APP fundraisers with no fewer than 20 people out in action across the UK!

London Marathon 2026

We have our biggest ever team taking part in the London Marathon this weekend - 14 amazing runners representing APP, coming from all over the UK (and even further afield too!). All have put in hundreds of hours of training over the last year and Sunday will be a celebration of all their hard work.

Our runners represent all parts of the APP community and have shared their reasons for running for us here. Look out for them on the television coverage and add your support for them if you can.

We wish them all the best for a fantastic day and we’re sending a big thank you to them all and to everyone who has supported them so far.

If you feel inspired by our London Marathon team and fancy being part of our team in 2027 - we will have guaranteed places again! Watch this space and our socials for details of how to apply coming on Monday!

Glasgow Kiltwalk

It’s not just in London where we have a big team taking on a big challenge! In Glasgow on the same day, Claire’s Clan will be taking part in the 23 mile Glasgow Kiltwalk.

This team of six amazing women - Dale, Louise, Jenna, Leah, Louise and Daisy - are doing this in memory of Claire who sadly passed away 15 years ago after suffering from postpartum psychosis.

Claire’s sister Dale says: ‘This challenge is our way of remembering her and raising much‑needed awareness of just how serious and devastating this illness can be.

Taking on the Kiltwalk will be myself and my daughter Louise, my sister’s two beautiful daughters Jenna and Leah, and two very close friends, Louise and her daughter Daisy.

To say we are proud of Claire’s girls is an understatement — they have shown incredible resilience growing up without their mum. Had there been greater research, understanding, and support around this illness at the time, they may not have had to endure such a profound loss.

We hope that any money we raise will help support further awareness, research and ultimately help other families avoid the life‑changing effects that we have had to endure.

We are so grateful to everyone that has already donated to support our team - Claire's Clan, it truly means so much to us.’

Good luck to Claire’s Clan - their challenge is a beautiful way to remember Claire.

Manchester Marathon thanks

We were so proud to have three runners representing APP in the Manchester Marathon this year, Rachel, Paul and Catherine!

Rachel and Paul

Rachel, APP Peer Support Sessional Worker at Andersen Mother and Baby Unit, along with her husband Paul decided to take on the massive challenge of running the Manchester Marathon together.

Paul said: 'After the birth of our twins, my wife Rachel suffered from postpartum psychosis. The experience is one of the worst things I’ve ever been through but APP helped me realise my wife would get through it and recover.

Having never even heard of postpartum psychosis until Rachel’s diagnosis made the whole situation, her delusions, hallucinations and then the confusion of what it was, much more difficult, not least with two premature babies as well!

So anything we can do to raise awareness and to help other families going through the same thing means an awful lot to us.'

Their twins supported their parents throughout their training and were there on the big day to cheer them on!

Rachel and Paul absolutely smashed it last weekend, and have already raised more than £1,300 - you can add your support for the family here: www.justgiving.com/page/paul-rachel-mcv

Catherine

Also representing us last weekend in Manchester was friend of APP, Catherine, who volunteered for APP whilst a student at Birmingham University. She said:

Having volunteered with APP while at uni I saw a glimpse of the important work you do. I know the charity is small and does fantastic work so I like to support you when I can!

Catherine has raised more than £1,000 for APP with her incredible marathon efforts. She also had an amazing run on Sunday. Find out more here.

Abseiling for APP

Thank you to Ann and Emily for abseiling for APP! Ann battled vertigo and a fear of heights to bravely take on this amazing challenge in beautiful Ilkley Moor last week.

Together they raised an incredible £1,200 - find out more and add your support for them here.

Miles for Mums and Babies

We already have lots of people signed up and ready to take part in this year’s Miles for Mums and Babies challenge this May! Could you join them and help us raise both funds and awareness? Sign up today, pledge to raise at least £50 and we'll send you a free APP t-shirt or vest, balloons and other awareness and fundraising materials, plus a medal when you complete your challenge! 👕 🎈🥇

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.

Could you walk, run, swim, cycle or toddle 10, 50, 100 or 1000 miles or more? Or, choose your own distance, perhaps reflecting a number or distance that is special to you.

You could complete the distance on your own or as part of a team – maybe get all the family involved, invite your work colleagues to join you or convince a group of friends. You could even complete your chosen distance using a variety of methods - run, swim, row, cycle, walk…. It’s up to you. Find out more and sign up to receive our free Miles for Mums and Babies pack here.

Hold a Big Bake for APP during Maternal Mental Health Week

With Maternal Mental Health Week coming up in May, it could be the perfect opportunity to get friends, family, or colleagues together for an awareness raising Big Bake for APP! Plan an afternoon tea, a work place bake sale, themed cake decorating competition or a picnic in the park and help raise funds and awareness for APP at the same time!

Get your FREE Big Bake pack (including some of the APP team's favourite recipes!) by emailing fundraising@app-network.org.

We can't wait to hear about what you have planned!

Dates for your diary

APP Birmingham face to face café group meet up, Friday 24th April

APP Manchester face to face café group meet up in Stockport, Friday 24th April

APP London face to face café group meet up, Saturday 25th April

APP London virtual café group meet up, Monday 27th April

APP perimenopause virtual cafe group meet up, Wednesday 29th April

APP LGBTQ+ virtual café group meet up, Thursday 30th April

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Blackburn, Friday 1st May

Pregnancy and Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day, Friday 1st May

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, Monday 4th to Sunday 10th May

APP Muslim women’s virtual café group meet-up, Tuesday 5th May

World Maternal Mental Health Day 2026, Wednesday 6th May

APP UK wide virtual café group meet-up, Thursday 7th May

Launch of RAPPORT study findings evaluating APP’s peer support embedded in Mother and Baby Units, Thursday 7th May

APP lived experience creative writing workshop with Laura Dockrill, Friday 8th May

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Blackpool, Friday 8th May

APP London face to face café group meet up, Saturday 9th May

APP Yorkshire face to face café group meet up in Leeds, Saturday 9th May

Mental Health Awareness Week, Monday 11th to Sunday 17th May

South Cumbria virtual café group meet up, Monday 11th May

APP grandparents virtual café group meet-up, Thursday 14th May

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Preston, Friday 15th May

APP London virtual café group meet up, Monday 18th May

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Lancaster, Wednesday 20th May

APP dads and co-parents virtual café group meet up, Wednesday 20th May

APP Northern Ireland face to face café group meet up in Belfast, Saturday 23rd May

APP creative connections virtual meeting, Tuesday 9th June

APP Scotland face to face café group meet up in Edinburgh, Saturday 13th June

APP Black women’s virtual café group meet up, Friday 19th June

Contact information for all APP café groups is available here.

Conferences and events

March for Mothers, Wednesday 6th May

Sport in Mind is holding regional walks as part of World Maternal Mental Health Day to raise awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder in new mothers.

West Oxfordshire Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Event, Friday 8th May

The Community Wellbeing Team at West Oxfordshire County Council are hosting an event at the Corn Exchange, Witney. It will provide advice and support for new parents and their families, and Rich will be attending on behalf of APP. More information can be found here.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Show 2026, Friday 15th May

Guest speakers, seminars and talks at Cardiff City Stadium event for health professionals, charity and Third Sector staff, parents and guardians. More details and book tickets here.

Branching Out webinar, Wednesday 20th May

The Hearts & Minds Partnership webinar bringing together organisations and individuals from the grassroots perinatal mental health sector. More details and tickets available here.

Recognising and Responding to Maternal Deterioration, Wednesday 20th May

Online conference looking at how MEWS, NEWTT2 and the Perinatal Optimisation Care Pathway have been adopted in organisations across the country and the impact on recognising and responding to deterioration in maternity care. A 20% discount is available for members of the APP network with code hcuk20app . More details and booking here.

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

22 April 2026

Our London Marathon 2026 APP Team

The London Marathon is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world, and APP are so excited to have our biggest ever team taking part in 2026!

Our 2026 London Marathon Team come from right across the UK, representing all parts of the APP community and we're delighted to introduce them all to you here!

To support any of our amazing runners, simply click on their name below and it will take you directly to their fundraising page. Thank you!

Sophie Ashman

Sophie was lucky enough to get a much coveted ballot space in this year's marathon and we're delighted she chose to run for APP!

Sophie works as a perinatal mental health nurse at Florence House MBU in Dorset so has seen first hand the devastating impact postpartum psychosis can have. She says: 'I’ve seen how life-changing it can be when women and families get the right support at the right time and that’s why I’m fundraising for APP, the only UK charity dedicated to supporting women and families affected by PP. They provide peer support, campaign for greater awareness, and fight for better services so no one has to face this terrifying illness alone.

This cause is incredibly close to my heart. So even when I’m dragging myself through long training runs, battling self-doubt, and questioning every life decision by mile 20, I’ll be doing it with love, purpose, and deep respect for the strength of the women and families I’ve worked with.'

This will be Sophie's first ever marathon and we can't wait to cheer her on.

Kayleigh Baggley

Kayleigh wanted to take on the London Marathon for APP after experiencing postpartum psychosis after the birth of her son in 2023. She has shared her story to help others

She says: 'I'm fundraising for APP by running the London Marathon in the hope of raising awareness for this incredible charity, and to share my story to bring hope to those mothers and families currently going through something similar.

I am now back to myself again, living a full and happy family life, alongside working full time as a high school teacher. I remember being frightened that I would never be able to do any of this again when I was unwell but now I am living proof that you can recover.'

Kayleigh completed two marathons before having her son, but the London Marathon will be her first since becoming a mum. We're so proud to have Kayleigh representing APP.

Amy Corderoy

Amy is running in memory of one of her best friends, Cara, who she tragically lost in 2024 due to a relapse in her mental health related to pre and postpartum psychosis.

Amy has had so much support from her and Cara's friends and family through the hard months of training and says she wanted to 'raise some money, and awareness on the amazing work APP does for mothers and families going through challenging times pre and post birth'.

Amy has completed the London Marathon once before in 2019, and we are honoured that she has chosen to take on this epic challenge for a second time, this time for APP in memory of Cara.

Tim Darcy

We're delighted to have Tim taking part in the London Marathon for APP after he successfully completed the Great North Run for us in 2024.

Tim says: I'm supporting APP because they have been campaigning for more Mother and Baby Units (MBU) for over 10 years.

My family have first hand experience of not being able to access a local MBU. In the summer of 2015 when our baby daughter was around 10 weeks old, my wife Jan needed mental health support as she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. There was no bed available at the nearest MBU in Leeds, so Jan and the baby were taken by ambulance to Manchester where Jan was voluntarily admitted to the Andersen Ward MBU. It was tough to separate our family - we had a six year old boy at home in York without his Mum and new baby sister.

Now, ten years on and with a healthy family, we would like to give something back to enable help to be made available for other families in a similar situation.'

This will be Tim's first London Marathon and we'll be cheering him on alongside his family.

Ian Fryer

Ian is another of our lucky ballot place entrants this year! It's taken him a long time to get here so we're even more delighted that he chose APP to support.

Ian says: 'After 11 failed attempts to get into London via the ballot, this year the odds were in my favour (I think). I haven't been a regular runner for a few years but this is a bucket list item so I'm back out denting pavements.

When it came to a charity to fundraise for I was considering a few of the big options and then a friend suggested one that helped them when they were going through a difficult time and I couldn't think of a better way to pay back people who helped someone you care about. So APP are my choice and I'll be proudly wearing purple on the day.'

We couldn't be more proud to have you wearing purple for APP Ian! Thank you for choosing APP.

Rachel Lucas & James Ingleby

The London Marathon alone is not enough for Rachel and James... they've decided to follow it up in June with an epic 85 mile run/walk from The Mount MBU in Leeds to Ribblemere MBU in Chorley along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

They're taking on these two epic challenges together because they are passionate about the difference APP has made to their lives, as well as to so many other families. Rachel is an APP Peer Supporter herself, working at Ribblemere MBU.

'Getting support from APP and being able to give back too is so important to me and to James, as he also benefited from APP’s partner peer support.

Training for these events will be a huge physical and mental challenge. Each step we take will be driven by the strength we’ve witnessed in the women and families I support and who we have both met through APP - and in ourselves. Taking part in these challenges for APP is more than just running; it’s a celebration of recovery, a way to raise vital funds, and a promise that no one should have to face Postpartum Psychosis alone. Above all, it’s a chance to make our children proud. 💜'

We're in awe of what you're taking on for APP - what a huge challenge. Thank you so much.

Rory McBride

Rory is coming all the way from Northern Ireland to take part in the London Marathon for APP.

'In April 2023, when our son Oscar was born, our family faced one of the hardest experiences of our lives. Megan became seriously ill before and after giving birth, suffering a severe mental health crisis known as postpartum psychosis.

During those difficult weeks, Megan and Oscar were cared for in a Mother & Baby Unit (MBU) in East London—a lifeline that helped Megan make a full recovery. I found hope reading recovery stories on APP's website, and they have connected Megan with other mums who had been through the same.

I felt lucky to have access to an MBU but it really is a postcode lottery. In Northern Ireland, there are still no MBUs at all. Families here deserve better, and APP is campaigning to open the first. We’ve now moved back to Northern Ireland, where the nearest MBU is 188 miles away—seven marathons across the Irish Sea.'

Rory and his family have generously shared their story and helped to raise so much awareness. You can read more about their experience here.

Thank you Rory, we can't wait to see you in London!

Sarah McLeary

Sarah is running the London Marathon for APP after her own personal experience of PP after the birth of her son just a couple of years ago.

Sarah says: 'I was incredibly lucky to receive urgent care in the Mother and Baby Unit at St John’s, where Murray could stay with me and Robyn could visit every day. After we came home, recovery was still tough, but APP were there with understanding, compassion and vital support, alongside the amazing staff at the MBU. Because of support like this, families going through postpartum psychosis don’t have to face it alone.

Running the marathon now feels like a small way to give back and help raise awareness so other families can get the same support when they need it most.'

Sarah We are so proud of you Sarah for taking on this challenge for APP!

Kate & Zoë Parry

Mother and daughter duo Kate and Zoë are flying all the way from Canada to take part in the London Marathon for APP.

They've been training hard through the snowy Canadian winter months and are ready to take on this challenge.

They wanted to run for APP for their life long family friend (and APP trustee) Anna, who had postpartum psychosis after the birth of her baby.

Kate and Zoë say: Seeing the strength and courage Anna has shown - and the amazing work she now does with APP - has inspired us to take on this challenge. We want to run for her, and for all the women and families who have been affected.

Anna says: 'Kate was a great support to me when I was ill after having Elsa back in 2005. Zoë and Elsa have grown up together and we're so touched that they are doing this for APP.'

For Kate, this will be marathon number 6, and for Zoë, her very first marathon! Having been born in London, Zoe's excited to run through the city where she's from; and Anna and Elsa will of course be cheering for them on the side lines. It will be very special to have a mum and daughter representing APP this year.

Lily Pinsent

Lily only started running in February 2025, so taking on the London Marathon will be a massive challenge, but one she is more than ready for, and we are very proud to have her run for APP.

Lily says: 'I can't quite believe I'm saying this, but yes I am running the 2026 London Marathon! The only thing getting me through this is doing it for this special charity.'

Lily had PP after the birth of her baby five years ago, in the midst of Covid lockdowns - a terrifying experience for her and her family. Luckily she was able to receive the treatment she needed in an MBU, but she knows not everyone in the UK is able to access the essential care and treatment an MBU can provide - and this is the reason she wanted to run in London for APP.

Rob Preston

Rob is running for APP after his wife was diagnosed with PP after the birth of their baby in 2023.

Rob says: 'It was a horrible and scary thing to go through but with medication and other support, including from APP, Briony's condition is now stable.

APP's peer support services have been particularly helpful for Briony and me. The charity also facilitates research, raises awareness and campaigns for improved services.'

We are particularly grateful to Rob for accepting his place in TeamAPP this year - he only came aboard in January after another runner was injured - so it's an even more epic achievement that he's been able to take on the training and fundraising at short notice and we are excited to give him all our support on the big day.

John Wheatley

John is another last minute addition to our team - again replacing an injured runner. We're so grateful he was able to join us, and that he was already marathon ready!

John's wife Rachel recently qualified as a midwife and as the final dissertation for her degree, she chose to write about the challenges facing families with PP.

John says: 'With the level of investigation required to create this academic work, Rachel found that PP was an area of postpartum care that was terribly overlooked. Having talked to Rachel extensively about PP, I am proud to step in and offer my full support for the amazing charity that is APP.'

We are so glad you were able to join our team John, it's wonderful to have you and your family as part of our community.

If you're in London this weekend, please do head down to the marathon route and look out for our runners! Or if you're watching the coverage on the television, keep an eye out and see if you can spot them in their purple tops.

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported our London Marathon team - the funds raised through just this one event could help us run our peer support service for a quarter of a year!

Feeling inspired? We have guaranteed places in next year's London Marathon too! More details on how you could apply to be part of our 2027 team coming on Monday 28th April.

16 April 2026

2026 Manchester Marathon #TeamAPP

We're so proud to have three runners representing APP in the Manchester Marathon this year.

They've been training hard for months and now it's time for them to complete their final 26.2 mile victory lap.

Rachel & Paul

Rachel may be a familiar face to some of our network as she works as an APP Peer Support Sessional Worker at the Andersen MBU in Manchester. She experienced PP out of the blue after the birth of her twins in 2017 and spent 10 weeks herself on Andersen ward recovering.

She found APP and trained as a peer supporter, now helping other families get through those difficult times. She and her husband Paul are passionate about raising awareness of PP and so decided to take on the massive challenge of running the Manchester Marathon together.

Paul says: 'After the birth of our twins, my wife Rachel suffered from postpartum psychosis. The experience is one of the worse things I’ve ever been through but APP helped me realise my wife would get through it and recover.

So anything we can do to raise awareness and to help other families going through the same thing means an awful lot to us.'

The twins have been supporting their parents throughout their training and are now all ready to cheer for them on the big day!

You can add your support for the family here: www.justgiving.com/page/paul-rachel-mcv

Catherine

Also representing us in Manchester will be friend of APP, Catherine.

Catherine volunteered for APP whilst a student at Birmingham University. She has run a few marathons in the past but has been training hard and is looking forward to the challenge of Manchester!

Catherine says: 'Having volunteered with APP while at uni I saw a glimpse of the important work you do. I know the charity is small and does fantastic work so I like to support you when I can!'

You can find out more and add your support for Catherine here: www.justgiving.com/page/c-laybourn-1

💜 Thank you Rachel, Paul and Catherine - we hope you have a fabulous day!

8 April 2026

Rachel’s story: I had never heard of postpartum psychosis before experiencing it – now I’m running a marathon to raise awareness

My first pregnancy was fairly straightforward – although I was incredibly anxious about something going wrong towards the end. However, after giving birth, and following my daughter’s newborn check, she was showing a few markers for Down’s Syndrome, so they decided to carry out some testing, which was a huge shock because nothing had been picked up during pregnancy.

When the results came back a few days later they confirmed that she didn’t, in fact, have Down’s Syndrome, but by that point I hadn’t slept in four days. I had been so anxious and I was convinced that if I fell asleep something bad would happen to my daughter.

While I was still on the ward I told the midwives that I didn’t feel quite right and that I was having these strange thoughts that I couldn’t make sense of, but they said I was probably just stressed and told me to try get some sleep.

After going home, however, things started to get worse. I was still unable to sleep, my thoughts were racing and I started to have delusions. One night I became convinced that I was in labour again and that I had dreamt everything up to this point. I woke my mum who had been staying to help and keep an eye on me, and my partner, James, and I said I was worried because I didn’t feel right and I wanted to go to A&E to get help.

So we went to A&E in the middle of the night and hours later I was assessed by the mental health team who thought I had heightened anxiety (which seemed reasonable given the stressful few days we had) and they were going to send me home. But while I was being assessed they realised I had a temperature, so they kept me on the ward in case I had contracted an infection.

I stayed in hospital and deteriorated a lot overnight and by the morning they realised there was more than anxiety going on. By this point I didn’t know where I was and felt trapped. I became suspicious of midwives on the ward, and even my family members visiting. I was suspected of having postpartum psychosis (PP) and they found me a bed on a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU). But because they thought I had an infection, they wanted me to stay on the ward for another few nights before being transferred as I needed IV antibiotics. Over the next night, however, I became extremely unwell. I was experiencing hallucinations and was very agitated, and it became unsafe for me to stay on a postnatal ward, so they had to section me and move me to the MBU in Leeds. I was there for six weeks.

During my first two weeks on the MBU I was convinced I was in prison and I believed I had harmed my baby. At times I even thought I had died myself. I was too unwell to care for my daughter, so it was decided that James would take her home overnight and bring her in every day to see me at first. As I started getting better week by week, I was able to have her stay with me and eventually have leave at home. I am grateful to have been able to get a bed on an MBU as even though I was unwell I was still able to be part of many of her ‘firsts’ while on the ward - her first bath and our first walk with the pram. I also continued to breastfeed when I could which helped our bond.

After returning home full time, I just wanted to put the experience behind me. I was in denial that it ever happened, and I didn’t want to talk about it. I also felt a sense of grief that so much time had passed and I’d missed out on what we pictured life with a newborn to be like. I had some APP leaflets but, at first, I didn’t reach out to anyone, and then lockdown hit.

I was quite lucky in that we had moved in with my mum before lockdown and my brother and sister were there too, so we weren’t isolated or anything and we had lots of help on hand.

But then, coming up to my daughter’s first birthday, I decided to reach out to APP. I had been reading stories on the website and the forum of people who had been through similar experiences, and I read APP ambassador, Laura Dockrill’s memoir too, and it really resonated with me. I then started joining the APP café group and, after a while, I trained as a volunteer. I was glad to finally be able to talk about my experience with people who understood, and it really helped me to get involved too.

Then we decided we wanted a second child. We knew the risks were high, but I was confident that it all happened the first time because of the stressful experience that we had. I had support from APP and the perinatal team from very early on in my second pregnancy and they helped me put a plan in place in case I did become unwell again.

The birth was great and everything seemed OK at first, but then about a week and a half later I started having similar symptoms - heightened anxiety, being unable to sleep, feeling manic and being obsessive about my newborn's safety and health. James recognised the signs and quickly helped to get me a bed on an MBU – which I went to voluntarily.

Unfortunately, I became really unwell very quickly and was sectioned again three days later. Again I thought I had harmed one of my children and I didn't trust the staff. Due to covid restrictions only James could visit at first, so I couldn't see my daughter for two weeks, and she couldn’t spend time with her new baby brother. My mum couldn't visit either which was really difficult for James, as he had our daughter to take care of at home this time too so couldn't visit us as much as the first time. Luckily the restrictions started to relax during my stay, so they could both visit after a while.

I was there for eight weeks in total, but I had my baby with me the whole time which was much better. I had the opportunity to discuss the importance of staying with my baby to the professionals during my care planning meetings. The second time was still frightening, but I knew that I was going to get better and I was able to advocate for myself more. Having the support and the knowledge made a huge difference.

After being discharged the second time, I did struggle with depression and anxiety, but I’m doing much better now and, around two years ago, I applied for a peer support role with APP and started helping to run the café groups and supporting mums on the ward, too. I’ve also shared my story for lived experience training sessions with health professionals. Getting support from APP and being able to give back too is so important to me and to James, as he also benefited from APP’s partner peer support.

That’s why we’re both training to run the London Marathon – as well as completing an 85-mile run/walk between Leeds and Chorley MBUs – the two units I was treated in.

Before I had the children I was always really active – I enjoyed running and going to the gym. After having the children I lost my love of fitness so decided to get back into it by doing the Couch to 5k programme. Running was the easiest thing to fit around family life, and I’ve built it back up from there. Running also allows me to clear my head and has had a positive impact on my mental health.

James had always wanted to take part in a challenge for APP, as he was so grateful for being able to speak to another partner for support and he said that, when he did, it was a big turning point for him. He also knows how much APP has helped me, so it was James who came up with the MBU challenge, but when we saw that APP had London marathon places, we thought we could maybe do that as well!

Having PP has been really tough, but it’s also made me a much stronger person. I think I used to have a lot of fear around challenging myself before but now I’ve been through PP I feel as though I can get through a marathon. I have met some incredibly inspiring people through APP, and their strength will be motivating me through both challenges too.

Now, I want to raise money to help APP continue to support other families but I also feel strongly about raising awareness because I had never heard of postpartum psychosis before it happened to me and having just some knowledge of it, or knowing where to find help would have made a big difference.

To sponsor Rachel and James, visit their Just Giving page here.

13 March 2026

Laura’s story: I told my doctor I was hallucinating, but they told me I had anxiety and sent me home

If postpartum psychosis (PP) was included as a formal diagnosis in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), resulting in more awareness and consistency in approaches to treatment, I believe I could have got the help I desperately needed much sooner.

There are so many different mental health conditions in the DSM, and it makes me wonder if the barrier to PP being included is because it’s not as common as some other illnesses. But just because it’s not as common doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And given that it is one of the most serious perinatal mental health conditions, I’d argue that we need as much awareness and clarity as possible.

It was 2024 when I experienced PP – although at first I was told it was anxiety and lack of sleep. Not everyone who experiences PP has enough insight during the illness to be able to identify what is and isn’t a hallucination, but I was lucky in that I knew I was seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. But even with me directly informing the doctors and midwives of this, they assured me I wasn’t really hallucinating, I was just exhausted, experiencing anxiety and I needed to rest. I also had other doctors acknowledging the hallucinations but telling me that it was quite normal postpartum.

But hallucinations aren’t normal postpartum. They are, however, a core symptom of PP. I just don’t think they had the knowledge or awareness of it to diagnose me.

Hallucinations weren’t the only symptom I was displaying, of course. There were delusions, confusion and strange thinking, too. I remember waking up in hospital after giving birth and asking the staff whose baby this was. And when I went home, I accused my husband of stealing my baby. Again, I was told I was just tired.

During all of this, I was prescribed sertraline for my ‘anxiety’ and I became suicidal. After several weeks struggling at home and being reassured by doctors that everything was normal, my husband called me an ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack. It was only then that I was finally diagnosed with PP. But if I had been diagnosed sooner, all those times when I talked of hallucinations and exhibited delusional thinking, I might never have reached that critical, suicidal state.

That’s why I believe PP should be included in the DSM, and it should be included in midwife training, too. The symptoms I was displaying and informing the health professionals of were all classic symptoms of psychosis. But if it’s not formally recognised, it’s more likely that these signs will be missed, which makes misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment also more likely – which can be incredibly risky.

Nobody should reach the critical state that I did – or worse - before they are diagnosed. A formal diagnosis could raise awareness, improve training and, ultimately, save lives.

12 March 2026

APP March 2026 Newsletter

Happy Mother's Day

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

It’s not too late to support APP when buying your Mother's Day cards at Making A Difference Cards. You can send e-cards, personalise with photos, names and even games! Browse a huge selection and buy here. Every card purchased gives a donation to APP.

We know Mother’s Day can be difficult, especially for anyone in a Mother and Baby Unit and their loved ones. It’s not always easy to remember, but mums get better from postpartum psychosis - read our Ambassador, Laura Dockrill’s story of her first Mother’s Day in hospital, and her recovery here.

For anyone who finds the day difficult or are remembering mums who are no longer with us, our trained peers are here to support you. APP’s volunteers are on the forum every day of the year, or you can request email or video call support here.

We are recruiting: Head of Information Technology and Digital Transformation

We’re looking for an experienced IT and Digital Transformation Lead with a track record in digital project management, of implementing IT and CRM systems, and of developing digital transformation strategies.

This is a new, senior-level position. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing an information technology and digital transformation strategy that improves APP’s operational efficiency.

The successful candidate will be a professional who can think strategically about the future while being hands-on with systems and IT infrastructure. An understanding of CRM systems, data security, regulatory compliance, and cloud-based workspaces especially for UK charities, is vital. The role offers the opportunity to make a significant difference in a well-regarded national charity during a period of growth.

For more information, see our website. The deadline for applications is Sunday 22nd March.

Mothers for Mothers report launched

APP’s Chief Executive, Dr Jess Heron, attended the launch of the Mothers for Mothers report in Parliament in February.

‘This Is Our Truth: A Grassroots Call to Reimagine Perinatal Mental Health Care’ highlights the gaps in specialist support experienced by tens of thousands of people living with perinatal mental illness each year - and calls for better funding of voluntary sector organisations delivering ‘on the ground’ life-saving support.

800 individuals as well as 56 voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations - including APP - contributed to the report, which was delivered to Downing Street by Mothers for Mothers CEO Maria Viner (pictured above). You can read the full report here.

Spring North awards

We’re delighted that APP has been shortlisted in the Impact category of the Spring North VCFSE awards for our team’s work supporting mums and families affected by PP and severe postnatal mental illnesses across Lancashire and South Cumbria, including Ribblemere Mother & Baby Unit. Huge congratulations to our team for all their hard work. The overall winners will be announced at a ceremony in June.

Find out more about how APP works with NHS Trusts here. You can read more about the Spring North awards here.

Launch of RCPsych’s position statement on menopause and mental health

Earlier this month, The Royal College of Psychiatrists launched its first ever position statement on menopause and mental health. The statement highlights concerns about stigma that stops women accessing support, poor understanding among employers, research knowledge gaps, and a lack of education among healthcare professionals.

Women who have had PP and/or bipolar disorder may be at higher risk of depression, anxiety, mania and (more rarely) psychosis during perimenopause and menopause. We know much more awareness and research is needed in this important area. APP welcomes the RCPsych’s position statement, which emphasises the need for improvements to the policies, education, care and support.

You can read more details about the position statement here. There’s more information about postpartum psychosis and the menopause on our website.

APP is working with a number of research teams to develop evidence in this area. Look out for our menopause cafe group coming up on Wednesday 29th April 12.30-1.30pm, led by Dr Clare Dolman, where we’ll discuss what is known about menopause management and key questions and issues for our community - so we can work on up to date advice for our website.

National maternity and neonatal investigation - please share your experiences!

A national call for evidence to help shape the future of maternity and neonatal care in England is open until 17th March 2026. Your voice matters. And right now, it can help shape the future of maternity and neonatal care in England.

Baroness Amos has launched a national Call for Evidence, inviting women, families and support networks to share their real experiences of maternity and neonatal services.

Why is this so important? Policies, standards, and improvements are strongest when they listen to lived experience. Personal accounts reveal where care and support works, where it falls short, and where change is urgently needed. Whether your experience was positive, challenging, or somewhere in between, we’d like postpartum psychosis experiences to be represented in the data.

This Call for Evidence is now open until 17th March 2026, and there are two surveys:
- One for women and people who have been pregnant to share their own experiences of maternity and neonatal care.
- One for partners, fathers, family members, friends, or others who supported someone through pregnancy and birth.

APP will be submitting an organisational response outlining the importance of access to Mother and Baby Unit care, better PP education for health professionals, access to specialist PP peer support, addressing inequalities, and the importance of national strategic oversight of perinatal mental health care. This is a real opportunity to be heard and help shape better and safer care and support for future families.

You have a few more days to get involved here.

Please take part in a study to help our understanding of perinatal mental health

APP is supporting the Mothers and Mental Health (MaM) study with the National Centre for Mental Health. We are trying to understand more about the causes and triggers of severe mental illness during pregnancy and following childbirth.

The study is open to anyone over 18 who has given birth. It will not only help us understand more about severe mental illness in the postpartum period but also help us test our postpartum psychosis research assessment tool. We need more people to get involved, even if they have never experienced a postpartum mental illness, in order to make sure it is accurate and precise.

Already taken part in this study? We'd love to hear from you! Health and Care Research Wales (who are funding the study) would like to put together a blog post to help encourage others to take part. If you have participated in the survey and might be happy to share your experience of this, please get in touch: app@app-network.org.

Miles for Mums and Babies 2026

Miles for Mums and Babies is back for 2026 and we need you to join us for what we hope will be our biggest year of challenges ever! Help us raise vital funds so we can be there for even more mums and families who need us.

With Miles for Mums and Babies, it's entirely up to you what challenge you take on - you choose how and when you want to complete your miles, how many you want to do.

Lots of people choose a number that means something to them - so if they or a family member have been affected by PP, then they might choose the number of miles they had to travel to an MBU or how many days they were treated for - or you can pick another number - whatever you want.

Then you complete the miles however you want - in the past people have run, walked, swum, cycled, toddled, rollerskated and paddleboarded - or a mix! And you can do it all in one day, or over a week, a month or longer. Get together with friends, family or work colleagues too and make it a team challenge if you like - work together to complete the miles!

There are lots of ideas of challenges other people have taken on on our Miles for Mums news page from last year and the year before if you want to have a look.

Alternatively if you'd rather take on an organised challenge - check out our challenge pages here.

Complete our Miles for Mums & Babies registration form and Fliss will be in touch with more info and inspiration if you need it.

The Big Bake

With Maternal Mental Health Week coming up in May, it could be the perfect opportunity to get friends, family, or colleagues together for an awareness raising Big Bake for APP!

Plan an afternoon tea, a workplace bake sale, themed cake decorating competition or a picnic in the park and help raise funds and awareness for APP at the same time.

For a bit of inspiration, check out supporter Annie’s gingerbread mums and babies video.

Get your FREE Big Bake pack (including some of the APP team's favourite recipes!) by emailing fundraising@app-network.org. We can't wait to hear about what you have planned!

Fabulous Fundraisers

Chester 10k: Well done to Scott and Rachel (above) who took part in the Chester 10k on 9th March! They chose to run for APP because Scott's wife, and Rachel’s best friend, Penny, had PP in 2020. We were especially excited to have them represent APP in Chester as the route of the 10k went very close to the brand new Mother and Baby Unit which opened there at the end of December. When Penny had PP she had to travel all the way to Stafford to receive MBU support, so this new Chester Unit means a lot to them.

Rachel's been fundraising in lots of different ways, including support from her sister's pub, The Wharf in Manchester. Find out more about Rachel's story and support her here.

For Scott, this is really just the warm up, as he's also planning to take on the Chester Half Marathon later in the year too! Rachel and Scott, thank you so much for all you’re doing for APP.

Bath Half: We're so excited to have Dan (above) representing APP in the Bath Half Marathon on 15th March. Dan was one of the student volunteers looking after APP at the Kings Fund/GSK Awards Ceremony last year. He was so moved by what he heard that he decided to take on this amazing challenge for us. Dan says: 'Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to meet some of the people behind APP, and it hit me how little awareness there is around something so serious. Hearing real stories from families who’ve been through it made me realise just how frightening and isolating it can be'.
Do add your support for Dan here and wish him lots of luck! Thank you Dan - we're all cheering you on!

London & Manchester Marathon Cheerleaders wanted!

We have runners representing APP in both the London and Manchester Marathons this year and we’d love to have as many supporters cheering them on in person as possible!
The dates are:

Manchester - Sunday 19th April
London - Sunday 26th April

There will be an amazing atmosphere at both events and you can be part of it! If you’d like to join our cheer team on either day, contact Fliss on fundraising@app-network.org for more details.

Thank you to Astorg Philanthropy Investments, represented and managed by Fondation Roi Baudouin whose employees across Europe voted for APP to receive an incredible €30,000. This donation will help us to develop our peer support café groups and train new peer support volunteers to enable us to be there for even more families in 2026.

APP Training: Best Practice Care in Postpartum Psychosis

APP training equips health professionals with the essential skills and knowledge to recognise and manage postpartum psychosis. You’ll hear from those with lived experience, APP staff, academics and clinicians. This highly rated training receives consistently positive feedback, with 100% saying they would recommend it to colleagues. For MBU and Perinatal Mental Health Teams who are already receiving APP training, new starters can book on to our online training free for the next 18 months. APP also runs 1-hour specialist lunch sessions for MBUs on topics like “Working with Peer Supporters”.

To find out more or book APP training for your team, contact: training@app-network.org.

In the media

APP Ambassador, Laura Dockrill, shared her PP experience in the BBC video and podcast, Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett. Laura also joined Paloma Faith on her Mad, Sad, Bad podcast. You can listen to the episode here.

APP volunteer Lizzy and Dr Jess Heron highlighted concerns about women with PP having to travel long distances from home for MBU care in a BBC article. Lizzy’s story was also featured on BBC Yorkshire.

APP volunteer Jade shared her experience of PP with Happy Mum Happy Baby. Jade also spoke to Birthbabe magazine, along with APP Chief Executive Dr Jess Heron.

Irene's Ghost, a film supported by APP, is now available to stream on Disney Plus in the UK and EU. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, YouTube and others. The film is a moving part-documentary, part-animation, following Iain Cunningham’s search to find out about the mother he never knew. It examines the intricacies of family life, the things we don't discuss, and the inter-generational impacts of stigma surrounding PP.

Did you know that APP works with journalists and content creators? If you’re covering stories about postpartum psychosis, we’re here to help. APP can:

• Provide accurate, evidence-based information about postpartum psychosis
• Connect you with women and families who have lived experience (with consent and support)
• Offer expert comment from clinicians and researchers
• Support you to report sensitively and reduce stigma

Responsible reporting helps save lives and break the silence around this treatable medical emergency. Contact us: media@app-network.org.

Evaluation of APP peer support at Mother and Baby Unit: first findings released

Preliminary findings from the RAPPORT study into APP’s peer support embedded in Mother and Baby Units were presented at a special event in Birmingham earlier this month.

The study, led by the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC) at The London School of Economics, is assessing APP-provided peer support at three Mother and Baby Units in England (Lancashire, Birmingham and Manchester).

In a presentation at the Three NIHR Research Schools’ Mental Health Programme Showcase, the research team explored:

How APP peer support shapes recovery for women and birthing people within Mother and Baby Units.
The journey to becoming a Peer Supporter, and how this role influences longer-term recovery.
What Mother and Baby Units need to deliver peer support safely, effectively, and sustainably.

An online webinar is being planned to share findings from the RAPPORT Study and discuss the conditions needed to optimise peer support delivery in MBUs. Find out more here.

New stories from our volunteers

“You feel so alone when you’re in the midst of PP, but you are not, I promise.
And you can, and will, recover.”

Our volunteers share their experiences of postpartum psychosis to help raise awareness of PP and campaign for improved services.

Thank you to Lizzy and Kayleigh whose stories have recently been added to our website.

Dates for your diary

Mother’s Day (UK), Sunday 15th March

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Lancaster, Wednesday 18th March

APP dads and co-parents virtual café group meet up, Wednesday 18th March

APP UK wide virtual café group meet up, Thursday 19th March

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Preston, Friday 20th March

World Storytelling Day, Friday 20th March

APP London face to face café group meet up, Saturday 21st March

APP Wales face to face café group meet up in Wrexham, Saturday 21st March

World Poetry Day, Saturday 21st March

APP London virtual café group meet up, Monday 23rd March

APP neurodivergent peer support virtual café group meet up, Tuesday 24th March

APP Muslim women’s virtual café group meet up, Thursday 26th March

APP Black women’s virtual café group meet up, Friday 27th March

APP Birmingham face to face café group meet up in Sutton Coldfield, Friday 27th March

APP Manchester face to face café group meet up in Stockport, Friday 27th March

World Bipolar Day, Monday 30th March

World Health Day, Tuesday 7th April

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria virtual café group meet up, Monday 13th April

APP dads and co-parents virtual café group meet up, Wednesday 15th April

APP Menopause virtual cafe group, Wednesday 29th April. More information to follow soon

APP LGBTQ+ virtual café group meet-up, Thursday 30th April

Contact information for all APP café groups is available here.

Conferences and events

Black Maternal Health Conference UK 2026, Friday 20th March
In person and online conference run by The Motherhood Group, bringing together mothers, healthcare professionals, VCSEs, organisations, policymakers, students and partners from across the UK. More details and booking information here.

Reading Group: Postpartum Psychosis in Art and Literature, Thursday 26th March
In-person reading group meeting, led by The Art Working Parents Alliance, at the Peer Gallery in London to discuss Jenn Ashworth’s memoir ‘Notes Made While Falling’, along with a selection of texts that explore portrayals of postpartum psychosis in art and literature. More information and book tickets here.

Suicide&Co’s sector summit, Wednesday 22nd April
In-person day in Westminster for professionals working with individuals bereaved by suicide. More details and booking information here.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Show 2026, Friday 15th May
Guest speakers, seminars and talks at Cardiff City Stadium event for health professionals, charity and Third Sector staff, parents and guardians. More details and book tickets here.

Recognising and Responding to Maternal Deterioration, Wednesday 20th May
Online conference looking at how MEWS, NEWTT2 and the Perinatal Optimisation Care Pathway have been adopted in organisations across the country and the impact on recognising and responding to deterioration in maternity care. A 20% discount is available for members of the APP network with code hcuk20app . More details and booking here.

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

20 February 2026

Kayleigh’s story: I’m running the London Marathon to show that you can fully recover from postpartum psychosis

I had never heard of postpartum psychosis before I experienced it and do not recall it being mentioned on any of the prenatal courses that I had studiously attended! It came as a total shock as I had always thought of myself as having very good mental health. I was very excited to become a mum, however, this incredibly exciting time was clouded by a terrifying experience and I couldn’t see any way through it – I certainly didn’t think I would ever recover.

I’m now sharing my story and training to run the London Marathon to increase awareness of this condition and give hope to those currently experiencing it.

I want others to know that you can make a full recovery and go back to leading a normal and very happy life.

My story

We were absolutely delighted to find out we were pregnant, it was a little earlier in our relationship than we had planned but all the same, we couldn’t wait to be parents. I had a relatively smooth pregnancy and had done ‘all the reading’ and attended lots of prenatal classes, NCT group, a breastfeeding course, baby first aid, etc. I thought I was well prepared for postpartum.

It all started with a traumatic birth, two days of labour with a dramatic rush into theatre for a c section which was narrowly avoided. Instead, my son was delivered by forceps and I had to have an episiotomy (a surgical incision to expedite delivery).

The long labour and pain from the episiotomy meant that I didn’t sleep well for almost a whole week. Thinking that this was ‘normal’ for new parents, we laughed off these initial warning signs. Then, I started to hallucinate, forgetting who I was, or who our son was.

I, and those closest to me, noticed that I was experiencing extreme highs and lows - feeling incredibly happy one moment and in total despair the next. I was very fortunate to have community midwives throughout my pregnancy who knew me well and also noticed that this wasn’t normal for me.

I was very nervous about asking for help - I had tried to hide how I was feeling and was constantly dismissing it as ‘normal baby blues’. It was a very confusing time for me and I remember not feeling like I could trust anyone. I had racing thoughts and felt like I couldn’t switch off so I gave up trying and offered to do all of the nights with our son as I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.

I was admitted to hospital on day three after giving birth as my husband was concerned about my very low mood. However, my more alarming symptoms were missed and they discharged me after helping me to breastfeed.

When I got back home I was very scared and knew that I needed help. On a routine visit on day seven, my community midwife advised me to contact 111 and ask for the mental health crisis team which I did. The mental health team responded very quickly and visited our house within a few hours and, at this point, my mind was constantly racing and I was very worried that I would never feel normal again. I remember finding the visits from the mental health team, perinatal team and social workers very difficult as I was struggling to retain information or sequence days, I felt like I was constantly confused and that there were too many strangers in my home. I wished that they would go away and leave us alone and I was hoping that I could say what they wanted to hear so they would leave and not come back. However, I was talking too quickly and therefore concerning the professionals even more and at one point they mentioned the possibility of sectioning me which led me into a complete panic.

However, I ended up being treated at home with daily appointments from the mental health crisis team and perinatal team. I had never heard of a mother and baby unit and now with hindsight, I believe that this would have been a brilliant option for me.

Although very reluctant to take any medication (I am the kind of person who won’t take paracetamol unless it is absolutely the last resort), I started to take Olanzapine about ten days postpartum. I didn’t get on well with it initially as the dosage was too high for me and I was very dizzy - not a great combination when caring for a new baby! But it definitely helped and allowed me to get the sleep and the break from my racing mind that I desperately needed.

The perinatal team in Suffolk were fantastic. I had regular meetings with my mental health nurse, Emma, and was lucky enough to be assigned a children’s nurse, Clare, who worked hard to ensure that I bonded with my son.

The perinatal team also organised walks and craft activities with other mothers in similar circumstances, which I found very helpful as it made me feel like I wasn’t the only new mum going through this.

Thankfully, once I started to sleep, it didn’t take too long to start feeling more like myself and I was able to start processing what had happened. I held onto the guilt for a very long time, feeling like I had spoilt the first few weeks of fatherhood for my husband and had ruined the excitement of a new baby for our whole family as they were all worrying about me. I think I am still coming to terms with what happened and making peace with it. It was a huge step forward when I felt comfortable to start speaking about what happened and that is what has led me to sharing my story more widely.

I do feel very fortunate in my experience, however, that I did maintain a bond with my son. Although at times I didn’t know who he was, which is heartbreaking, I continued to care for him all the same.

My message to others would be to trust the process - it is incredibly hard when you’re in the midst of postpartum psychosis but know that you can trust your closest family and friends to lead you back to yourself again with the support of the medical professionals. If you are not getting the support you need and are still not feeling right please continue to ask for help. Calling 111 worked for me and it's great that they now have a mental health option. Please keep reaching out if you need help, and know fantastic charities like APP are also here for you, to help signpost you and to support you as you recover.

I am now fundraising for APP by running the London Marathon in April in the hope of raising awareness for this incredible charity, and to share my story to bring hope to those mothers and families currently going through something similar.

To sponsor Kayleigh’s London Marathon fundraiser, visit her fundraising page here.

21 January 2026

APP January 2026 Newsletter

New year, new fundraising challenges

If you need some motivation to keep up with your new year’s resolution, or you just fancy taking on a challenge this year, we have loads of opportunities for you to get involved with throughout 2026!

We already have more than 50 fundraisers signed up to take part in challenges this year, and we want to make it our biggest and most exciting fundraising year ever!

Join #TeamAPP and be part of our amazing fundraising community.

For runners, we have places available in the iconic Great North Run in September, the Great Birmingham 10k on 3rd May, the picturesque Royal Parks Half in October, Northern Ireland’s amazing Hillsborough running festival in July, or help us celebrate the opening of the UK’s newest MBU in Chester by taking on a 10k or half marathon in the historic city.

Or perhaps you could run to mark International Women’s Day on 8th March by joining an all female 5 or 10k in London or Manchester as part of the Women’s Run Series.

If none of these are quite right for you, don’t worry! We can access places in hundreds of other events all over the country - find the one for you here or email Fliss to find out more.

Swimmers - you could be part of the Great North Swim in beautiful Lake Windermere this June - with distances ranging from 0.5miles to 10km, there’s something for everyone. Contact Fliss for more details on the different distances.

Walkers - How about taking part in one of Scotland’s amazing Kiltwalk events?

Or perhaps 2026 is the year you take on an epic ultra walk challenge? APP is now registered with UltraChallenge so you can access some incredible events like the Jurassic Coast 100k walk, London to Brighton, the Lake District or or North Yorks Ultra Walks… Find out more about all these and more here (select APP as your charity when you register). Plus sign up before the end of the month using the code HELLO2026 and you’ll receive 50% off the registration fee.

Something different? Fancy an obstacle course this year? We can get places in fabulous inflatable obstacle courses right across the UK; as well as Toughmudders for those looking for an even bigger challenge!

Or for the bravest, we can even organise bungee jumps and skydives! Get in touch with Fliss for more info.

Miles for Mums and Babies

Our aim for 2026 is to have our highest number of Miles for Mums and Babies participants ever - so whether you’re a veteran of Miles for Mums and Babies, or if this would be your first time, we want you on board!

With Miles for Mums and Babies, we want to raise awareness of the distance many families have to travel to receive support when they are ill.

You choose your own challenge - pick a number of miles that means something to you - whether that’s the distance from your home to your nearest MBU, the number of MBUs in the country, or the miles from the most northerly MBU in the UK to the most southerly, or just a nice round number - whatever you want - then you aim to cover that number of miles through running, walking, swimming or cycling over a certain time period. You can do it alone or as a family, or as a team of work colleagues or friends.

You could aim to walk 1000 miles this year, run a mile a day in May, swim 20 miles in a week or cycle the distance between two MBUs. Or you could complete your miles in a totally different way. In the past we’ve had paddleboarders, toddlers and even rollerskaters - maybe you’re a climber, a dancer or a kayaker?

Contact Fliss to receive your free Miles for Mums and Babies info pack and start making plans for your challenge today!

Support Squads

If perhaps taking on a challenge isn’t something you can commit to in 2026, we’d still love you to join our cheer team! On April 26th we’ll have our biggest ever team of runners taking part in the world famous London Marathon, and we need you to help us cheer them on the big day!

Plus we have runners taking part in the Manchester Marathon on 19th April, Chester Half on 17th May and the Bath Half on 15th March and we need supporters for all of them too! Even if you can just spare half an hour or so on the day, your support could make all the difference and help our runners get to that finish line, and being on the sidelines for these events is so inspiring and joyful!

Email Fliss for more info on how to get involved.

Thank you fundraisers

A big thank you to Olly for adding APP branding to his amazing racing kart - a completely new way to raise awareness!

Olly’s partner Hannah had PP after the birth of their baby and they decided this would be a good way to reach new people. Hannah says:

‘I’m so proud that he is raising awareness of this illness as when I got ill with it, none of my family and friends had heard of it. So we are big believers in spreading as much awareness as possible for postpartum psychosis.’

You can follow Olly on Instagram @ollymoss_44

Thank you!

Roll and Krumb

A big thank you to APP volunteer Iqra for donating 10% of the profits from her new cinnamon roll baking business to APP - helping to raise both funds and awareness.

You can read more about Iqra’s story here, and check out her incredible looking creations @rollandkrumb on Instagram.

Support APP for free

We know January can be a tricky time for finances, so we’ve compiled a list of ways you can support APP without spending a single penny! Check out all the ideas here, and let us know if you decide to try any of them out.

One way to support us for free, and is also an activity that might help you with a post Christmas clear up, is to get involved with recycling for APP. Recycling for Good Causes will collect unwanted or broken items including jewellery, watches, any currency, old mobile phones, old cameras, stamps and electrical gadgets such as sat-navs, Ipods, MP3 players, games consoles, games & accessories… They’ll send you a free recycling sack, and pick it up for free too. An APP staff member filled a couple of sacks last year and raised some much needed funds.

We are recruiting: join our team in the North West

We're looking for a Peer Support Facilitator to work across two innovative collaborative projects in the North West region: with Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWPFT) providing peer support to inpatients at Seren Lodge, the new Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Chester; and with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) providing peer support at the Ribbemere Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Chorley as well as in the community in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

This is a 4 day per week role with time split between two sites:

Seren Lodge MBU in Chester, supporting women one-to-one and through small group activities; talking to partners and families of women during the acute illness phase and signposting to APP’s online support, community forum, and information.
Our Lancashire and South Cumbria project, supporting women and family members at Ribblemere on discharge from the ward, and with the specialist community perinatal teams across Lancashire & South Cumbria, which may include support in pregnancy for women at risk of PP. The Peer Support Facilitator will also arrange cafe groups for recovering and recovered women with experience of PP in the region.

We’re also looking for casual peer support worker(s) with lived experience of postpartum psychosis to provide peer support to women and families affected by PP in the North West region. There are more details about both roles on our website here: https://www.app-network.org/about-us/jobs/ . The closing date for applications is 1st February 2026.

On Saturday 31st January we are holding a peer support volunteer training day in Chester. If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team or are considering applying for our vacancies in the North West region, we would love to talk to you about the face to face training day on 31st January. For more details please email jenny@app-network.org.

Campaign update: Mother and Baby Unit for Northern Ireland

We are nearing the end of the process to determine if an interim in-patient Mother and Baby Unit is a possibility. Our determination for a permanent solution remains solid. - says Mike Nesbitt, Northern Ireland Health Minister.

Action on Postpartum Psychosis and partners met with the NI Health Minister again this month to discuss urgent support for mothers experiencing postpartum psychosis and the importance of dedicated in-patient care for mothers and babies. This is an important step towards ensuring families get the specialist care they urgently need.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU). Mums admitted to general psychiatric wards are separated from their babies, which can delay recovery and impact family bonding. APP has campaigned for MBUs for over 10 years. Research shows mothers recover faster, feel safer, and gain confidence when treated in an MBU.

The meeting included Dr Jo Black, Perinatal Psychiatrist (Devon Partnership NHS Trust and MBU), Dr Jess Heron, CEO (APP), Liz Morrison, NI Media Consultant (APP), and representatives from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA) and Aware NI.

Our campaigning for a Mother and Baby Unit in NI continues. Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories and helped raise awareness so far.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by postpartum psychosis, now or many years ago, and would like support or to join our Lived Experience community, including our NI group, email ellie@app-network.org for more information.

PP and diagnosis - Action on Postpartum Psychosis needs your help

An international panel of women's mental health experts has issued a call for postpartum psychosis (PP) to be properly recognised in diagnosis classification manuals. Professor Veerle Bergink of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Erasmus University in Rotterdam led a panel of prominent PP academics, including APP's Professor Ian Jones and Trustee Clare Dolman, in developing a consensus statement about PP diagnosis.

The team has spent several years pulling together clinical and biological evidence, and consulting patient groups, to show that postpartum psychosis deserves recognition as an official diagnosis. Although the term is used widely by clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience, currently, diagnostic manuals force doctors to classify postpartum psychosis under a range of different names in different subsections of the classification manual, leading to confusion for patients, clinicians and researchers alike.

For academics, clinicians and those with personal experience, use of the term ‘postpartum psychosis’ is essential in order to differentiate the different treatment, risk factors, symptoms and expected outcomes compared to psychosis or bipolar that occurs at other times.

APP will be putting together evidence that the current system is confusing for both patients and clinicians - and hindering high quality research into PP.

If accepted by the team which oversees the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in the US, could lead to improvements in patient care and research quality globally.

You can read the expert committee’s consensus statement here.

If you, or your family, has been affected by the issue of diagnosis, you can share your stories by joining a discussion on our forum.

If you have a story you would like to share with us about how diagnosis or confusion around diagnosis impacted your care, you can get in touch via email too. Please include DSM in the subject line of your email and send to app@app-network.org

National call for evidence to help shape the future of maternity and neonatal care in England

Your voice matters. And right now, it can help shape the future of maternity and neonatal care in England.

Baroness Amos has launched a national Call for Evidence, inviting women, families and support networks to share their real experiences of maternity and neonatal services. These responses will directly inform the findings and recommendations of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation.

Why is this so important?

Policies, standards, and improvements are strongest when they hear and listen to lived experience. Numbers and data tell part of the story, but personal accounts reveal where care and support works, where it falls short, and where change is urgently needed. Whether your experience was positive, challenging, or somewhere in between, it all holds value, and we’d like postpartum psychosis experiences to be represented in the data.

This Call for Evidence is open for eight weeks, from 20th January to 17th March 2026, and there are two surveys:

One for women and people who have been pregnant to share their own experiences of maternity and neonatal care
One for partners, fathers, family members, friends, or others who supported someone through pregnancy and birth

You must be aged 16 or over to respond. If you are under 16, you can still take part with someone who is 16 or over.

If you or someone you know has been affected by maternity or neonatal services, please consider taking the time to respond. And if you work in health, policy, advocacy, or leadership, please help amplify this call for evidence.

This is a real opportunity to be heard and help shape better and safer care and support for future families.

Get involved here: https://www.matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evidence/

APP is seeking trustees!

Help transform care for families affected by postpartum psychosis. With demand for our services growing and an ambitious five-year plan in development, we are seeking trustees to strengthen and diversify our Board.

We are seeking trustees who share our commitment to improving the lives of women and families affected by postpartum psychosis and preventing maternal suicides. You do not need previous board experience. APP is committed to building a Board that reflects the diverse communities we support. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are particularly seeking increased representation from Black and Asian backgrounds. We would like to hear from senior clinicians/academics: with a special interest in postpartum psychosis research or care, with experience as a Clinical Lead for a Mother and Baby Unit and/or of national policy development. We would also like to hear from people with skills in: national health policy/service development; philanthropy/grant-giving; accounting and finance; charity law; diversity and inclusion; scaling global health initiatives; and digital innovation/cyber-security. Lived experience of postpartum psychosis is warmly welcomed, but not a requirement for the trustee role.

To express interest or arrange an informal conversation with the Acting Chair (Anna Jones), Vice Chair (Professor Ian Jones) and CEO (Dr Jess Heron) please email: Emma Harvey (PA to the CEO): emma@app-network.org. Please include a brief CV/bio and a short note about: your background, why you are interested in supporting APP and any particular skills or perspectives you would bring.

Please get in touch by 12th February 2026. For more information, visit: https://www.app-network.org/trustee-recruitment/

Dates for your diary

APP London virtual café group meet up, Tuesday 27th January

APP Sussex and Hampshire face to face café group meet up in Winchester, Saturday 24th January

APP Birmingham face to face café group meet up, Friday 30th January

APP Manchester face to face café group meet up, Friday 30th January

APP North East face to face café group meet up in Newcastle, Saturday 31st January

APP Muslim women’s virtual café group meet up, Thursday 5th February

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Blackburn, Friday 6th February

APP South Wales face to face café group meet up, Saturday 7th February

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria virtual café group meet up, Monday 9th February

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Lancaster, Friday 6th February

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Blackpool, Friday 13th February

APP dads and co-parents virtual café group meet up, Wednesday 18th February

APP Black women’s virtual café group meet up, Friday 20th February

APP Lancashire and south Cumbria face to face café group meet up in Preston, Friday 20th February

APP Northern Ireland face to face café group meet up in Belfast, Saturday 21st February

APP London face to face café group meet up, Saturday 28th February

APP peer support virtual café group meet up - mental health difficulties after postpartum psychosis, Wednesday 4th March

APP Scotland face to face café group meet up in Edinburgh, Saturday 7th March

APP North Wales face to face café group meet up, Saturday 21st March

Contact information for all APP café groups is available here.

Conferences and events

From Harm to Hope: the 11th annual Self Harm and Suicide Prevention festival, Friday 27th February

Annual conference run by Harmless – the national centre of excellence for self harm and suicide prevention. The day in Nottingham will feature a range of expert speakers and leading academics. Booking information here.

Black Maternal Health Conference UK 2026, Friday 20th March

In person and online conference run by The Motherhood Group, bringing together mothers, healthcare professionals, VCSEs, organisations, policymakers, students and partners from across the UK. More details and booking information here.

Suicide&Co’s sector summit, Wednesday 22nd April

In-person day in Westminster for professionals working with individuals bereaved by suicide. More details and booking information here.

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

14 January 2026

New challenges for 2026

Need some motivation to keep up with your new year’s resolution, or just fancy taking on a new challenge this year? Look no further! We have loads of opportunities for you to get involved with throughout 2026!

We already have more than 50 fundraisers signed up to take part in challenges this year, and we want to make 2026 our biggest and most exciting fundraising year ever!

Join #TeamAPP and be part of our incredible fundraising community.

Runners

We have places available in the iconic Great North Run in September, the Great Birmingham 10k on 3rd May, the picturesque Royal Parks Half in October, Northern Ireland’s amazing Hillsborough running festival in July, or help us celebrate the opening of the UK’s newest MBU in Chester by taking on a 10k or half marathon in the historic city.

Or perhaps you could mark International Women’s Day on 8th March by joining a friendly all female 5 or 10k in London or Manchester as part of the Women’s Run Series.

If none of these are quite right for you, don’t worry! We have access to places in hundreds of other events all over the country - find the one for you here or email Fliss to get some inspiration.

Walkers

Perhaps 2026 is the year you take on an epic ultra walk challenge? APP is now registered with UltraChallenge so you can access some incredible events like the Jurassic Coast 100k walk, London to Brighton, the Lake District or or North Yorks Ultra Walks… Find out more about all these and more here (remember to select APP as your charity when you register).

Or if you're in Scotland, how about taking part in one of the amazing Kiltwalk events which take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen?

Swimmers

You could be part of the Great North Swim in beautiful Lake Windermere this June - with distances ranging from 0.5miles to 10km, there’s something for everyone.

A team from South West Yorks Perinatal Team took part for APP last year and had a fabulous time!

Something different?

How about an obstacle course this year? We can get places in fabulous inflatable obstacle courses right across the UK; as well as Toughmudders for those looking for an even bigger (muddier!) challenge!

Or for the bravest, we can even organise bungee jumps and skydives! Get in touch with Fliss for more info.

Whatever you're thinking about, let us know and we can help find exactly the right event for you - from 2.5k to 100k, right across the UK and even overseas - and throughout the year. We'll do our best to match you with your perfect challenge!

Fundraising through events like these makes a huge difference to the work APP does - last year challenge event fundraising helped us be able to train new peer support volunteers, provide vital information booklets to MBUs, and offer life changing, life saving peer support to hundreds of families affected by postpartum psychosis. Plus event fundraising helps to raise awareness of PP. We're so grateful to all our fundraisers, and all those that support them. Every event and every donation really does make a difference.

6 January 2026

Lizzy’s story: My postpartum psychosis made me re-live my birth trauma

After a smooth pregnancy I experienced a long and traumatic labour. My baby was back-to-back which put pressure on my nerves, and I didn’t sleep once throughout the labour which lasted for days. When postpartum psychosis hit, those traumatic birthing experiences came flooding back…

Before postpartum psychosis I’d never suffered any mental health problems. There were things that I was naturally anxious about relating to the birth – because you read so much about what can go wrong – but generally the pregnancy went smoothly.

The labour, however, was incredibly difficult. Because my baby, Patrick, was born back-to-back (i.e. he was facing the wrong way) he was pushing on my nerves which gave me the sensation to push when my body wasn’t ready to. My waters were also broken by the midwife with no prior warning, which made me think for a split second that I’d haemorrhaged. So my labour lasted a long time and I didn’t get any sleep. In fact, I think I only managed about two to three hours in four or five days.

Patrick was delivered by forceps and I had a Grade 3 tear that needed stitches. He was also mistakenly taken for blood tests because they thought his kidneys weren’t working (a nurse had failed to record when he’d had a wee.) At one point in the postpartum ward I noticed Patrick choking on mucus next to me but I was unable to get to him because of the epidural. I rang the buzzer and shouted but it took ages for someone to respond. Combined with the sleep deprivation, all of this was making me feel extremely anxious.

It was around then that I started to become suspicious that the midwives were talking about me being a first-time neurotic mum and I discharged myself at 4am- an incredibly out of character move.

When my husband was driving us home, I started shouting at him to be careful of the runners in the road. This was my first hallucination – there were no runners in the road.

At first, we kind of laughed it off and put it down to sleep deprivation and the tramadol I was taking. We didn’t realise it was a sign of what was to come.

When we got home, I was convinced that the house was on fire because I could see smoke. Again, we put it down to lack of sleep and painkillers, but my mum moved in to help us out anyway as everyone was starting to get worried about me.

The first evening I spent at home I remember being in agony because of the tear that I had suffered. I was terrified that the stitches were going to burst. That’s when I ran to our car with no shoes on wearing only maternity knickers and a shirt, begging Adam to take me back to hospital. I was seen in triage and sadly none of the professionals who saw me noticed the red flags of psychosis that were quickly developing. My physical health was checked and I was sent home.

I reverted to very childlike and vulnerable behaviour. I also began speaking very quickly and not making much sense. I kept forgetting Patrick’s name. A midwife visited me for the two-day check-up and I remember thinking I wished our regular midwife could be there because I knew I wasn’t myself and she would have noticed that.

At that point I was still wearing my hospital band and I hadn’t showered or brushed my hair in days. I felt like a voice in my head was almost screaming please get me help to those around me but I couldn’t actually say it out loud. My mum actually did ask the midwife for mental health support but the midwife said there was no need – she said I just needed a good night’s sleep and a walk around the block.

But my increasingly strange behaviour continued. I was rubbing my stomach a lot despite Patrick not being in there anymore. I was constantly pacing, and my mum described me as doing everything and nothing. Patrick was crying and I was zoned out and couldn’t even hear him. My mum would say maybe he needs his nappy changed but I couldn’t work out how to do it – I couldn’t even make a cup of tea. I was so confused.

I didn’t eat. I kept saying I was going for a shower but not going. I was flitting through lots of thoughts and feelings - one minute feeling positive, the next teary. That’s when I started using my notes app on my phone to keep track of my thoughts.

I could not sleep. No matter how hard I tried or how tired I felt.

My brain was wired, my thoughts going at 100mph. I was googling about postpartum insomnia, trying to understand why I couldn’t sleep.

On the morning that I was sectioned, things get hazy. I still hadn’t slept or eaten. I remember feeling a primal urge to scream. My mum tells me that I ran and attempted to throw myself at the window. I thought I had died in childbirth and I started screaming that I was in hell and reeling off goodbyes to people. Then I started believing my mum had died, and that Patrick had died. At one point I was terrified that I had killed Patrick myself. I have little to no memories of this episode, it was an out of body experience.

My mum then shouted Adam to call 999 as she thought I might have psychosis. She spent her career in social care so was vaguely familiar with it. She’d also watched Stacey’s story in EastEnders and recognised what may be happening. Meanwhile I lay on the floor in the living room, shouting and screaming. Eventually the police and an ambulance came and I was taken to hospital, terrified. When I got to A&E I was covered in my own urine because part of my psychotic episode involved pushing, as if I was still giving birth, and I thought the urine was me haemorrhaging. I was also having terrible hallucinations of Patrick choking because of my experience in the postpartum ward.

Eventually, I was sectioned and transported to Derby Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) as there was no room in the Leeds MBU nearby.

When I got there I was immediately given olanzapine. I was still psychotic for a while, eventually convincing myself I was pregnant with twins and thinking I still had to give birth to one baby (this stems from my husband being a twin). During one episode I even burst my stitches too. I couldn’t feel pain - it was an out of body experience.

Eventually, after a few days, the antipsychotics started to kick in and I very quickly returned to myself. I remember feeling really embarrassed then. I asked my parents to show the MBU staff photos of me on my wedding day and to tell them I’m a teacher because I couldn’t believe what they saw me doing.

But after all that time thinking that I was in hell, I started to realise that I was in a good place. The MBU wasn’t hell, it was more like heaven. It saved me.

I was so relieved to be over the psychosis, but then depression hit me like a ton of bricks. I adored Patrick but couldn’t show it and I struggled to be near him. I withdrew from everyone and didn’t want to leave my room. I wouldn’t wish depression like that on my worst enemy. The doctors upped my sertraline and things gradually did get better but it took a while and a lot of care from the staff.

I left the MBU at the end of January having been there since the end of November. My mum and dad got an Airbnb close by to help settle me back in and the good days started outweighing the bad. Patrick becoming more smiley and interactive healed me a lot and I started going to baby groups and opening up to people about what I’d been through.

My mum found APP. She was supported by a grandmother peer supporter, and found great comfort in this. I then reached out and met Ellie, one of the peer supporters, in York. It helped me so much speaking to someone else who has been through what I had. When you’re coming to terms with what happened to you, you think to yourself, surely that’s a unique experience. But actually there’s a huge community of people with a lot in common.

Now I’m determined to spread awareness.

I’d never had any mental health issues in the past, so postpartum psychosis hit me completely out of the blue. It really can happen to anybody, so I want to be open with people about my experience.

I would say to anyone going through postpartum psychosis that, as scary as it feels, there is a community of people waiting for you when you’re better. You feel so alone when you’re in the midst of it, but you are not, I promise. And you can, and will, recover.

Join us for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

Lived experience workshop - creative writing

Join us in creating a collaborative poem to be shared in Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

APP peer support embedded in Mother and Baby Units: webinar to launch research findings

POSIE study Parliamentary launch

Born from Experience film series launch

Black Maternal Health Conference

Join our wellbeing event: Matrescence workshop with Maggie Gordon-Walker

APP at the Perinatal Mental Health Network Research Forum

Best practice care for postpartum psychosis: book an APP training session for your team

APP perimenopause virtual café group

In the media

Fabulous fundraisers

London Marathon 2026

Glasgow Kiltwalk

Manchester Marathon thanks

Abseiling for APP

Miles for Mums and Babies

Hold a Big Bake for APP during Maternal Mental Health Week

Dates for your diary

Conferences and events

Happy Mother's Day

We are recruiting: Head of Information Technology and Digital Transformation

Mothers for Mothers report launched

Spring North awards

Launch of RCPsych’s position statement on menopause and mental health

National maternity and neonatal investigation - please share your experiences!

Please take part in a study to help our understanding of perinatal mental health

Miles for Mums and Babies 2026

The Big Bake

Fabulous Fundraisers

APP Training: Best Practice Care in Postpartum Psychosis

In the media

Evaluation of APP peer support at Mother and Baby Unit: first findings released

New stories from our volunteers

Dates for your diary

Conferences and events

New year, new fundraising challenges

We are recruiting: join our team in the North West

Campaign update: Mother and Baby Unit for Northern Ireland

PP and diagnosis - Action on Postpartum Psychosis needs your help

National call for evidence to help shape the future of maternity and neonatal care in England

APP is seeking trustees!

Dates for your diary

Conferences and events

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