My Blog

In BEST magazine this week, there is a feature on postnatal depression that highlights the deaths of some new mothers. I know of both the ladies quoted, Emma Cadywould and Joanne Bingley. I never knew them – I do know members of their families due to their desire to increase awareness of this illness and also to tirelessly campaign for better services. Sadly they are not alone in feeling that these deaths were avoidable. I was pleased that BEST asked for me to comment and have included some of my thoughts and my book in the article – in the context of it helping others.

When I was so ill with postnatal depression that escalated into a psychotic illness, I too went walkabout in my nightclothes. Had geography been different and I had aimlessly wandered onto a railway line or motorway, it could be my photo on this page.

Every day I appreciate life (even on challenging days) and am so glad I was able to recover from puerperal psychosis. I have the joy of my son, currently home from university; I have wonderful times with my niece, for example, at a Frozen day out recently. It breaks my heart to think of the children and families left behind, who are not as lucky as I am.

Each time I am reminded of the loss of life through perinatal mental illness, it reminds me of how important to continue to keep the profile of it ‘in the news’, so that we can keep people informed. I applaud BEST magazine for doing this article. In the past I have been told that because my story has already been in one source of media, they want ‘new ones’. Do we have to keep on waiting for more unnecessary deaths to make it newsworthy? Both Emma and Jo have been included before in articles and long may they be so. Unless we keep on keeping on other families will be torn apart by this illness. What can we do?

1. Share the fact that up to 20% of new parents can be affected by some form of perinatal (ante and post natal) illness.

2. In extreme cases it can result in suicide – both of these families did not know how serious it could be.

3. Reduce the stigma around mental health – it’s okay if new parenthood does not bring the emotional high you expect. Talk to people about it. For example, join the amazing Rosey at #PNDhour on Twitter each Wednesday between 8 and 9 p.m.

4. Join the lobbying for better and much needed resources and facilities – look at the figures at http://everyonesbusiness.org.uk/ to discuss with any politician who knocks at your door.

Today I have been preparing my talk for ‘Improving the Quality of Perinatal Mental Health Services’  conference to be held in London on 19th May. perhaps you would like to come along or can pass the link onto others. The full details can be found HERE.  If you quote ‘hcuk20spk’ you will get  a 20% discount on the delegate rate.

I have been rather quiet on the blogging front as I have been recovering from the intense writing for my second book! It has now been sent to the copy editor to begin the process for publication by late August. I am planning to hold a launch event and training day in mid-September. The title has been chosen as ‘Another twinkle in the eye – a guide for contemplating another pregnancy after perinatal mental illness’.

I am hoping to be able to share the book cover very soon and to share some ‘tasters’ in the lead up to the publication.

Watch this space!

Best wishes

Elaine 🙂