Postpartum Psychosis (PP) is a severe form of mental illness experienced by mums after having a baby. Around 1 or 2 in 1000 new mothers are affected by this horrible and very serious illness. Two of my friends had the illness, and through my work I've met many other women who have suffered from PP.

PP can occur quickly and out of the blue. Symptoms can include mania, depression, confusion, hallucinations and delusions. It can be incredibly serious, and many women have to be hospitalised, sometimes for weeks or months. It can be devastating for them and their families, including partners and other children.

APP is a fantastic charity which provides information and support to women and their families, trains health professionals and facilitates research. The charity has been instrumental in campaigning for improvements to services for women with PP across the UK.

Women who experience PP have a very difficult and unusual experience of early motherhood. In addition, the stigma associated with mental illness, can make it hard for them talk about their experience. APP's peer support helps women and families affected by PP feel understood, supported and less isolated. 

I was supposed to be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for APP. It has been postponed. I will run it when it happens - hopefully in April. I am also running a half marathon near my house on 11th October - the day that the Royal Parks Half was due to take place. So I'm now running two half marathons for this fantastic cause!