I will be running the Manchester Marathon in April 2025. This will be my first marathon and although I have enjoyed running for a few years now this challenge really is another level. I've decided to go for it even though I'm nervous and am not quite sure how I'll fit the training in. I'd be so proud of myself if I achieved it and would love to use it as an opportunity to raise money for a charity that means something to me.

As many of you know perinatal mental illness is an area that I feel really passionately about. It was only recently that it was something people didn't really talk about but we now know that improving perinatal mental health can have a huge impact on the whole family for years to come. When I was a foundation doctor it was seeing a woman who had postpartum psychosis on the maternity ward that first triggered my interest in Psychiatry. I hadn't even heard of the condition and couldn't believe that somebody who was previously well could become so unwell so quickly after birth to the point that they were unable to look after themselves or their baby. It stayed with me as one of the most shocking and saddening illnesses I had ever come across.

I now work as a perinatal psychiatrist and see first hand how families are affected by mental illness. Charities like APP can have a really big impact in this rapidly developing area to provide support to affected families and to improve awareness of this condition.

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) is a UK charity. We’re here to make sure mums, parents and families are supported through postpartum psychosis – a severe, but treatable, form of mental illness that occurs after having a baby and affects 1400 new mums in the UK each year.

We offer information and peer support, facilitate ground breaking research, raise awareness and campaign for improved services.

Our life changing peer support network helps women and families affected by postpartum psychosis feel understood, supported and less isolated.