hiya everyone, its Gracie here :). Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

Trigger Warning: This post contains references to Suicide and Mental health/ Maternal Mental Health struggles.

This may come as a shock, but did you know that...

The leading cause of late maternal death in the UK, (between 6 weeks and 1 year after pregnancy)...is Suicide.

No new or expectant mother should ever feel that suicide is their only option.

Perinatal mental health matters. Many expectant mothers experience Mental health conditions such as Postnatal depression, Postpartum Psychosis, Perinatal OCD, anxiety, eating disorders, tokophobia and more.

1 in 4 women and birthing people experience mental health struggles during and after pregnancy.

1 in 3 maternal deaths are mental-health related.

If untreated, perinatal mental health problems can have a devastating impact on the women affected and their families, and cost the UK economy a staggering £8.1bn a year.

(MBRRACE‑UK, 2025), (Maternal Mental Health Alliance MMHA 2025)

My name is Gracie :) I'm a 3rd year student Midwife at the University of Leicester, committed to supporting women and families through pregnancy and childbirth. I am particularly passionate about Perinatal Mental Health, challenging health inequalities and advocating for equitable access to high-quality, compassionate, perinatal mental health care.

As a student midwife on placement, I’ve cared for women with diagnosed perinatal mental health conditions, women who are silently struggling, and families desperately trying to cope while navigating stretched services. These experiences reinforce just how important timely, compassionate, and accessible perinatal mental health support is, and how easily people can fall through the gaps.

After hearing these shocking stats and seeing real-life experiences, staying still feels simply unacceptable... so I decided to get moving...

THIS IS WHY... on March 15th 2026 I will be RUNNING in the Bath Half-Marathon for The Maternal Mental Health Alliance!!!!!

If you know me, you know how much I hate running and only do so when I'm late for a placement nightshift or sprinting downstairs when UberEATS has arrived at the door. But if dragging myself around Bath in running shoes can raise money for an incredible cause, then I’m lacing up! This half marathon will not be fast. It will not be graceful. It will, however, be for a very good cause. :)

Every single donation (and cheer!) will go directly to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, helping them:

-Campaign for better, equitable perinatal mental health services across the UK.

- Run community projects and empower parents with lived experience to drive change.

- Support research and awareness initiatives, including for adolescent mothers and women from black or minoritized ethnic backgrounds.

-Educate and train healthcare professionals to better recognise and respond to mental health struggles.

- Raise awareness and reduce stigma, so no parent ever feels alone during or after pregnancy.

Every penny helps the MMHA continue this vital work: improving care, saving lives, and supporting families when they need it most. Soooo Sponsor me (and mainly my knees) in surviving these 21 kilometres.

Thanks for reading! Lots of Love,

Gracie xx ;)

Check out the MMHA website https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/ and Follow my Strava to see me plod around in preparation, teehee. Strav user= Gracie Brick

If you or someone you know needs suppourt:

PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPOURT:

Maternal Mental Health Alliance https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/

PANDAS Foundation (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Support) 0843 28 98 401, www.pandasfoundation.org.uk

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) 07939 882 865, www.app-network.org

GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS SUPPOURT:

Samaritans 116 123 (free, 24/7)

Mind 0300 123 3393, www.mind.org.uk

Shout Crisis Text Line Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7)

NHS 111 (urgent mental health support) dial 111

If someone is in immediate danger call 999.