Letters of Light project

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in Mental health, News, Recovery and wellbeing on 9th May, 2020

Staff and mothers at Jasmine Lodge, Mother and Baby Unit in Exeter are proud to be supporting the Letters of Light project.

The project was originally set up by author Olivia Siegl, who founded The Every Mum Movement after suffering from severe postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis following the birth of her two daughters.

The Letters of Light project is a global initiative connecting mothers with lived experience of maternal mental health with mothers currently suffering, through handwritten letters of support.

Olivia says: "A Letter of Light is a letter of support written by a mum with lived experience to a mum currently suffering with her mental health. It is a compassionate letter the mum can open and read when she feels ready and in need of a little light. It is a letter she can share with
loved ones if it helps start a conversation about how she is feeling. And a letter to keep at
hand to be able to read when the darkness becomes too much and she just needs someone
to turn the light on."

Patients at Jasmine Lodge have received Letters of Light which has helped them to understand they are not alone. Jasmine Lodge staff nurse Martha Richards said: "We are the first official people to receive the Letters of Light and I feel very honoured that we have been able to get involved."

Mums who have used our service are also invited to become an “Author of Light” and write their own letters when they feel the time is right.

Pictured is Jasmine Lodge staff nurse Martha Richards, who has shared the Letters of Light project on social media and is encouraging other mothers to help spread the word. Martha is hoping the scheme can be extended to the Outreach and Community Teams.

The “Dear Fellow Mum” Selfie tweet campaign is being used to support the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership who have been running Maternal Mental Health Week events.
Follow @lettersoflightproject on Instagram.

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