Congratulations to Solihull Perinatal Mental Health team, our Team of the Month for April. The team has been recognised by a service user as they provided life-saving support during severe postpartum mental health episode.

The Perinatal team in Solihull quite literally saved my life and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them. I had a mental health crisis after my second daughter was born in 2023, I had feelings of wanting to end my life. I went two weeks without sleeping longer than one to two hours in 24 hours due to how severe my anxiety was postpartum. I was close to being admitted to the Barberry mother and baby unit because I could not physically go to sleep. 

The team called or visited me daily at this point, sometimes calling me twice a day. Jo the duty nurse was my lifeline over a period of weeks we spoke for a combined total of 50 hours or more. She was a rock to me, I don’t know how I would have go through some days without our chats. She showed so much compassion, kindness and patience. Both Jo and Dr Simmons gave me hope – that I would get better. I didn’t believe it at the time but I did. 

Dr Simmons is one of the most compassionate, kindest people I have ever met. The day I met her was the day I started to get better. I was also allocated a CPN who visited me weekly for a short period (she has since left post). Dr Simmons supported me for over a year including when I went back to work. Showing commitment to my care when she did not have to do this. It was support over and above. She was truly inclusive in her care; I had never been open to secondary mental health before but this did not matter, I was treated like any other patient with previous mental health needs. Questionnaires evidenced that I was not bonding well with my daughter initially but with support from the team and also medication this has all changed. My daughter is now two years old and she is the light of my life. I don’t know if I will ever have more children but I feel safe and reassured knowing that the Perinatal team will be there for me in the future if I need them. It gives me so much comfort. The team truly deserve so much recognition for the amazing work they do for mother and babies in Solihull. I will never forget your care and speak about it all the time. Thank you for saving my life.

Team of the Month