A FAMILY fun day in south Warwickshire aims to shine the spotlight on perinatal mental illness.
At least 25 per cent of parents will experience mental illness during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby – known as perinatal mental illness.
As a result, local charity By Your Side is hosting an annual awareness walk and family fun day in Whitnash on Sunday (May 5) to ensure parents know how to access support should they find themselves needing it.
Local mum of two, Leanne Howlett, founded the charity after experiencing postnatal depression after the births of her children having no prior history of mental illness.
She said: “I just remember recovering and thinking what was that I went through and why did no one warn me about it. This is why I feel so passionate about the need to raise awareness among the local community so they can look out for themselves and others they know who are having children.
”We are looking forward to Sunday’s awareness walk and family fun day, which will mark our sixth anniversary pf the event. We are so grateful to the local community who come along and support the work we do. Our hope is that one day mental illness in the perinatal period is given the same recognition as any other pregnancy related physical illness”.
The family fun day, running from 11am until 4pm at Acre Close Playing Field, is free to attend and will include a bouncy castle, soft play, face painting, balloon making, crafts and games and rhythm time sessions, as well as a guest appearance from princess Belle and a variety of stalls.
There will also be an awareness walk around the park at 1pm.