Lucy’s legacy to shine light on post-natal depression

HE family of a much-loved woman have committed to change the treatment of post-natal depression in her memory.Lucy Pearson passed away in September last year at the age of 37.A much loved daughter of Ann and David, sister to Faye, wife to Simon and mum to Jasmine and Jasper, Lucy suffered with post-natal depression.Her family and friends, who live near Helmsley, have raised concerns over a ‘postcode lottery’ of support and feel that the services that should have helped Lucy sadly failed her.They have now set up Lucy’s Legacy in her memory and are working with Mind York and Mind Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale to raise funds and promote awareness of perinatal mental health support.Lucy had been getting treatment for post-natal depression, which she had suffered with following the birth of her son in October 2023, at the time of her death.She had also suffered with the illness after the birth of her daughter in 2021.Lucy’s sister Faye said: “Lucy was a keen supporter of the charity Mind. She was keen to help this charity to support others suffering with post-natal depression and psychosis.“Her family and friends will continue this support and wish to raise awareness for better help and treatment of post-natal depression and psychosis.”Post-natal depression is a type of depression that many mothers experience after having a baby.Post-partum psychosis is a serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby. It affects around one in 1,000 mothers after giving birth.Faye said: “Having a baby is a transformative experience which affects every aspect of your life and this can affect your mental health in many ways. “Lucy’s Legacy is here to help navigate that change and break the stigma of discussing mental health so that no other family suffers this tragedy.”Faye said a pie and pea quiz night in Kirkbymoorside last weekend raised over £3,500 – taking the total for Mind to over £16,000.“I told people there on the night that we now have two lives – before and after. After is the change my beautiful sister is going to bring.“The collaboration with Mind is completely unreal and change is going to come. We are planning an amazing range of support, from a website to speaking to GP receptionists to help raise awareness.“The name Lucy means light and we want our Lucy to shine that light.”