Action on Postpartum Psychosis Away Day

Published on Wednesday, 09 April 2025 Post

On Wednesday 19th March 2025, the Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) team held a team away day at the University of Oxford's National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit.

APP is the national charity for mothers and families affected by postpartum psychosis, a severe but treatable mental illness after childbirth.

As a home-working organisation, APP rarely has an opportunity to meet up in person. 24 of 28 members of APP staff were able to attend they day, which began with sessions from APP staff about their role in the organisation and priorities for 2025. After lunch, we heard from APP's research partners. Prof Ian Jones (National Centre for Mental Health, Cardiff University) shared findings from clinical and molecular genetic studies of PP. Dr Annette Bauer (LSE) presented on the evaluation of APP's embedded peer support model. Dr Jo Hodgekins shared research on psychological models supporting recovery from PP. Prof Fiona Alderdice introduced the upcoming James Lind Priority Setting Partnership for Perinatal Mental Health, which will identify future research priorities.

The afternoon was dedicated to working groups tackling issues like: future research; what's next for APP's suicide prevention resources and activities; volunteer engagement and journey; Mother & Baby Unit engagement; peer support café group development; and future fundraising.

The day enabled us to reflect on the work we've done since the charity was set up and share ideas for the future. It was an excellent opportunity to celebrate APP's recent GSK Kings Fund IMPACT award, celebrating health charities making a real difference in the UK. APP must thank the Department of Health and Social Care Suicide Prevention Fund for supporting our staff away day. PP can be a devastating, debilitating illness, and suicide remains a leading cause of maternal death. Care and outcomes have improved since APP began – and today PP accounts for a smaller proportion of maternal deaths than earlier in the century. APP is committed to improving recovery outcomes and reducing maternal suicide rates, by building a lived experience community that collaborates with academics and clinicians to improve support, information, health professional training, awareness, research and services.

Dr Jess Heron, Chief Executive, said:

Our away day was a fantastic opportunity to connect as a team, celebrate our achievements and think about the future. Our strong bonds and communication are key to our impact. Holding the event in such an inspiring space, supported by inspirational researchers who are making such a difference to maternity care, was a real boost to the team. It also gave us the chance to build relationships with researchers, to support future collaboration.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to Professor Fiona Alderdice and the team at the University of Oxford National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit for hosting us, and helping to organise the day.