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 that 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.

I'm really thrilled that APP is starting a new partners peer support project. Having a new baby and a partner with PP can be really traumatic. APP has a new National Partners' Coordinator and is fundraising to support this new element of their work which includes two sessional dads/partners workers and a team of trained volunteers who can offer phone, email and video call support to any partner affected anywhere in the country. Importantly, the team are also giving talks to influence service development & policy.