“29 April to 5 May, marks UK Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, a topic very close to my heart.
Whilst I work within the Secure Inpatient Service at Ridgeway , I am also one of the founding members of the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership , a national partnership made up of individuals and charities campaigning for better mental health support in the perinatal period. In 2017, we launched the UK Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which we coordinate each year. The week itself has gained momentum over the years, being backed by large mental health organisations and celebrities, with acknowledgements from the Royal family and recognised globally.
People think having a baby is an incredibly happy time, and it is for many, but for some it isn’t always and I was one of those. Sadly, I am not the only one. So many others have their own perinatal mental health stories, no two experiences are the same. I look back on this time and just wished someone would have asked me about my mental health, I had so many warning signs but nobody mentioned the possibility of postnatal depression, or worse. If I was to give new mothers, or fathers too, one piece of advice, it would be to speak to someone – your Midwife, your Health Visitor or even your GP. If you feel like something has changed within you, if you have any concerns, please speak to someone. Recovery is possible, and it can be quicker with the right support.
From my experience I went on to set up a local Charity, Raindrops to Rainbows, to raise awareness of Perinatal Mental Health and to provide peer support across the North East region. I am also one of the founding members of the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, founders and official organisers of the UK Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, continuing to raise awareness and have conversations about Maternal Mental Health.”
You can find more information on the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership page.
