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On Thursday this week I was delighted to be invited to the launch of a new DVD aimed at parents, professionals and all those involved with young families. It has been made by PSS in Liverpool to raise awareness of the condition and to offer hope to sufferers. Here is a clip from it.

I have known Julie Rawlinson, the team leader, for many years now. She is a wonderful example of how the passion and desire from one person can make a real difference. She recognised the need to support women and their families with perinatal mental health difficulties in Liverpool. Julie began by herself and has fought hard to find funding and grow the amazing system they now have. It is a great model for other areas to use. I applaud and commend her tenacity. She now has a great team of dedicated people around her – this DVD is a great showcase for all they have achieved so far.

The event was held at FACT cinema in Liverpool where the seats were cosy sofas! Denise Welch, who suffered with postnatal depression, has included her experiences in the DVD and also attended the event. Here she is with the team involved. Julie is on the far left in the photo.

As Denise describes her experiences I was struck by how similar some of her feelings are to mine. She is currently reading my book, ‘Eyes without Sparkle, a journey through postnatal depression‘, and agrees!  (If you have read my book and found it to be helpful I would be grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon for me.)

I was delighted that ITV did a feature on the film. Look at it here.  The more media coverage the better!

The DVD features a number of the team and stories of ladies whom they have helped plus a section on fathers. This includes the amazing Mark Williams, founder of Father Reaching Out. I am pleased that this year, the fundraising organisation Movember, is turning its attention to men’s mental health as it challenges more men to grow moustaches in November. Read more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29841063.  Perhaps we can encourage our men to follow the perinatal psychiatirst Alain Gregoire in this who has got a head start!

The film also features a brilliant play portraying the darkness of postnatal depression by a group of A level students. This would be brilliant for sharing and discussing with teenagers. I feel that the DVD  will be ideal to make parents aware of how you can become mentally ill due to pregnancy and birth – also that recovery is possible. I think it would be a great tool for all training providers, e.g. midwifery and health visitor training.

Julie will be presenting at an event I am also speaking and chairing at in London on December 11th. She will be joined by Pauline McPartland from her team. It should be a wonderful day. This will be the third one I have had the pleasure of doing for HC-UK conferences on ‘Improving the Quality of Perinatal Mental Health Services’. Mark Williams will also be speaking.

You can find the full programme and booking details here. Put the 20% discount code of ‘hcuk20spk’ as a guest of mine.

Further details on the DVD and how to get copies is on the PSS website here. 

I would like to thank all of those involved in this DVD and for inviting me to the launch. I have to say that it has helped to inspire me as I write my second book. This will be a guide for parents and professionals who are considering another baby after a perinatal mental illness.

I’d better get on with it!

Elaine 🙂