The Cedar House Support Group ("Cedar") , run by counsellor Liz Wise, has provided me , and many others, with an invaluable source of support throughout my ongoing recovery from severe postnatal depression, which culminated in my admission to a Mother and Baby Unit for nine weeks. 

Cedar provides a safe and confidential space in which service-users can share experiences, thoughts and feelings, with others who understand perinatal mental illness, do not judge, and listen with empathy and compassion. Cedar offers a weekly life-line of support to those experiencing the devastating effects of perinatal mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. In the very dark and frightening existence of this, Cedar's message is "you are not alone, you are understood and you are cared for."

I am trying to raise funds for this small, private charity, to ensure it has enough money to keep running and because there are no other support groups providing this service. The continued existence of Cedar will mean providing a service-user in the area with some peer support, rather than nothing. In some cases, it will mean a parent will be able to recover at home rather than in hospital. In the worst-case scenario, it might mean reducing the number of perinatal suicides, which is the leading cause of death in mothers within a year following pregnancy.

I hope, one day, a support group of this quality will exist in every part of the country so that any parent impacted by perinatal illness will know that they are not alone and that there is a haven each week from which they can draw strength and encouragement. Thank you Cedar, for being this haven to me and many others xxx