I chat to perinatal mental health blogger, peer supporter and charity campaigner Eve Canavan, BEM in this Blue MumDays special for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Eve is a founding member of the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership and the lead co-ordinator for MMHAW - now in its 6th year and a global success.
In this follow up to her story (Episode 19), Eve tells me about the birth of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and her very special collaboration with EastEnders and Mind, to inform Stacey's Postpartum Psychosis storyline.
(In Part 1, Eve talks very frankly about her lived experience of Postpartum Psychosis, 12 years ago after the birth of her son.)
*TRIGGER WARNING: BIRTHING INJURIES, BIRTH TRAUMA & POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS*
Apologies for the sound quality on this episode - at times my microphone had interference, which I didn't realise at the time. I hope this doesn't spoil what was a fantastic conversation.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[00:00] Teaser quote.
[01:31] Introduction to Eve Canavan.
[02:26] The Perinatal Mental Health Partnership - setting up Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.
[07:53] This year's special MMHAW sessions include Postpartum Rage, Birth Injuries, Birth Trauma, Your Body Post Birth, Mum & Baby Yoga and Dad's With PTSD.
[14:26] Pelvic floor health - and the need to open up about birth injuries and incontinence.
[18:10] Where to find these special MMHAW resources.
[19:25] This year's theme: 'The Power of Connection' - the importance of peer support.
[20:07] The key fear against speaking out: "I don't want my baby to taken off me".
[21:23] Gender disappointment.
[27:32] Eve's involvement with the BBC's soap opera EastEnders, informing the character Stacey's storyline of Postpartum Psychosis.
[33:34] Advice for anyone concerned about Postpartum Psychosis - it's a psychiatric emergency.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- You can read Eve's blog here.
- Perinatal Mental Health Partnership website.
- Perinatal Mental Health Partnership FACEBOOK
- PMHP INSTAGRAM
- PMPH TWITTER
- Dr. Caroline Boyd
- Fit Fanny Adams - pelvic floor expert.
- Dr Lindsay McMillan - expert on gender disappointment.
- Action on Postpartum Psychosis.
- EastEnders: Stacey's storyline with PPP
- Mind - the mental health charity
- Postpartum Psychosis is a psychiatric emergency so don't be afraid to go straight to A&E if you are concerned.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.
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Email: bluemumdays@gmail.com
SEASON 2 *COMING SOON*
We are taking a very short break, but have a fantastic Season 2 lined up - we can't wait to share it with you very soon - watch this space!
SUPPORT:
If you are struggling right now, please know that it’s okay to talk and reach out for help.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND WILL NOT FEEL THIS WAY FOR EVER.
We hope these support services are helpful (please note we do not check or monitor them individually).
Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP)
Moderated Forum, click here to find out more.
Email: app@app-network.org
Tel: 020 3322 9900
AIMS for better birthing.
Email: helpline@aims.org.uk
This email will go to a group of AIMS volunteers and someone will respond as soon as possible.
Telephone: +44 (0) 300 365 0663
You will be able to leave a voicemail message which will be sent to all our Helpline Volunteers. Please include your name, phone number and brief details of your enquiry. A Volunteer will try to call you back as soon as possible.
Andy's Man Club
A non-judgemental talking group for men
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/club-information/clubs/
Email: info@andysmanclub.co.uk
Association of Postnatal Illness
Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868
Email: info@apni.org
Live chat online facility
Best Beginnings
Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering
evidence-based information and self-care tools to help parents during pregnancy
and early stages of parenting.
App users also have access to a confidential, text-based Crisis Messenger which provides
24/7 support for new and expectant parents who are feeling extremely anxious or overwhelmed.
Bi-Polar UK
email: info@bipolaruk.org
Birth Trauma Association
Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
CALM
Contact CALM
on their national helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)
Cedar House Support Group
Email: lwise@talktalk.net (Liz Wise)
Mobile: 07773 283556
Contact: for families with disabled children
Support, advice and information for parents with disabled children.
DadsNet
Offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.
Family Lives
An organisation providing immediate help from volunteer parent support workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Family Rights Group
Support for parents and other family members whose children are involved with or need social care services.
Fathers Reaching Out
https://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/
Run by Mark Williams, campaigner, speaker and writer, offering support to dads.
FiveXMore
A grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women and birthing people’s maternal health outcomes in the UK.
fivexmore@gmail.com
Gingerbread
Single parents, equal families. Help and advice on the issues that matter to lone parents.
The Hub of Hope
A directory of mental health support around the UK.
LGBT Mummies
Supporting LGBT+ women & people globally on the path to motherhood or parenthood.
Email: contact@lgbtmummies.com
Make Birth Better (Birth Trauma Support)
Email: hello@makebirthbetter.org
Maternal OCD
Peer support available, email info@maternalocd.org to
arrange
Mayah's Legacy
Supporting parents who have experienced pregnancy loss.
info@bigoutreach.org
The Motherhood Group
Dedicated to sharing and supporting the black maternal experience through peer support, projects and advocacy.
info@themotherhoodgroup.com
Motivational Mums Club
Offering Trauma, Mindfulness and Meditation sessions for Mothers and Mums to be with an NHS Mental Health Specialist, who’s also a Mother.
motivationalmumsclub@gmail.com
Music Football Fatherhood
Open conversations around fatherhood, including blogs, peer support and podcasts.
hello@musicfootballfatherhood.com
Muslim Women’s Network
Helpine: 0800 999 5786, open Mon-Fri 10am –
4pm with support offered in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Putwari, Hindko,
and Bengali.
Email: info@mwnhelpline.co.uk
Online chat: www.mwnhelpline.co.uk
Text: 07415 206 936
Netmums
Netmums offer peer support via their Maternal Mental Health Drop-In
Clinic.
NHS
Contact your local GP surgery.
Call the NHS on 111
or contact a local NHS urgent mental health helpline
If you are in crisis, visit Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital.
PANDAS
Helpline open from 9am-8pm every day – 0843 2898 401
Email support available – info@pandasfoundation.org.uk
Petals
Petals offers free-of-charge specialist counselling to anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss.
Web: petalscharity.org/counsellingcontact/
Email: counselling@petalscharity.org
Tel: 0300 688 0068
Samaritans
Tel: 116 123
(this is a free telephone number and will not appear on the phone bill)
Web: www.samaritans.org
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Shout
Text SHOUT to 85258 to start a confidential conversation with a trained Shout volunteer.
Twins Trust
Twinline is Twins Trust’s listening service for parents of twins, triplets and more. All
the calls are answered by volunteers who have multiples themselves.
Twinline is open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and from 7pm to 10pm. 0800 138 0509,
alternatively email asktwinline@twinstrust.org.
Web: twinstrust.org/let-us-help/support/twinline.html
Tommy’s
Tommy’s has a team of in-house midwives who offer free support and information for women and their families at any stage of pregnancy and after the birth.
Web: www.tommys.org
Helpline: Tommy’s
helpline has been closed temporarily but their midwives are answering questions
via email, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Email: midwife@tommys.org
MUSIC by Joseph McDade
