In 2021 my wife Charity gave birth to our triplet girls. What was supposed to be a joyful occasion soon turned to disaster. Shortly after the birth, Charity became seriously unwell and was admitted to a general psychiatric ward and diagnosed with a severe mental illness, Postpartum Psychosis.

You can read Charity’s short story here: https://www.app-network.org/ourstories/charitys-story-i-became-obsessed-by-the-idea-that-the-doctors-thought-i-couldnt-look-after-my-babies/

Our family are very lucky to have received the intervention, care and support we did and Charity recovered relatively quickly but the experience of having PP is not something that has been easily accepted and is still quite traumatic. However, we are under no illusion that our story could’ve been very, very different.

Charity’s passion now is to raise awareness for this relatively unheard of condition so that all mums can get the support they need. Charity said she’s not fit enough to take on a run, swim or cycle! So I am playing my part and raising money for APP by doing a skydive in August 2024 as their research on this illness is crucial for new mums and families. We were lucky 🍀

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) is a UK charity. They exist 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.

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

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