Maternal OCD is a service user led charity and relies on support from volunteers with lived experience and also from clinical experts, to help support mothers and their families as well as campaign for improved perinatal OCD services.
We are very lucky to have some wonderful fundraisers, who have been able to provide vital financial support for Maternal OCD. A huge thank from us!
Please get in touch if you would like to be involved with Maternal OCD from supporting the day to day running of the charity, fundraising, talking about your experiences or writing for our website – we would love to have you on board!
Our wonderful volunteers and fundraisers:
Reflection on attending the MMHA “This Is Also Motherhood” Exhibition by Sarah
When Maria and Diana asked me to represent Maternal OCD at the Maternal Mental Health Alliance exhibition, #ThisIsAlsoMotherhood, I couldn’t have been happier – or more honored. I’d seen glimpses of the project on Instagram as it grew, and I knew it was going to be something truly special.
When the call went out for women to contribute unfiltered, meaningful moments of motherhood to the exhibition gallery, one of my images immediately came to mind. It had been tucked away in a ‘hidden’ folder on my phone – as it was a raw photo that captured how I was really feeling at the height (or should I say lowest!) of my perinatal mental health illness. For years, I had shared only verbal ‘polished’ snippets of my illness and the idea of submitting this unfiltered, honest image felt terrifying… but also right. It would be the first time I shared it publicly.
Fast forward a few months and the exhibition day arrived. As I stepped into the PHILLIPS Building in London, excitement quickly gave way to an overwhelming wave of imposter syndrome. Surrounded by powerful stories of loss, trauma, survival, and resilience, part of me felt my own experience – birth trauma that led to perinatal OCD and severe postnatal depression – was somehow “not that bad.” That old narrative resurfaced: I survived, my baby survived, there were no lasting physical consequences… I should be grateful. I was one of the lucky ones.
But the imposter syndrome went deeper than that. I also found myself thinking, Have I done enough to deserve being here? What difference have I really made? I felt small standing among women who had turned their pain into advocacy, creativity, campaigns, and change. And yet, alongside that doubt was a quieter voice – the part of me that desperately wants to help, to contribute, to make things better for others going through perinatal mental health struggles, even if I’m still figuring out what that looks like. It reminded me how persistent, silencing, and misleading that inner voice can be – constantly minimising our experiences, questioning our worth, and making us believe we are not doing enough, even when simply telling our story is an act of courage and connection.
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance created this exhibition to explore the realities of pregnancy, parenthood, and mental health through portraits, still-life images, and audio stories from ten women. Their aim was simple yet profound: to shine a light on the parts of motherhood we don’t often talk about – the emotional load, the mental health struggles, the contradictory feelings that can sit alongside deep love. Working with the award-winning photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn, they achieved exactly that. Every part of the exhibition landed straight in the heart.
As I walked down the stairs and was met by the huge still-life photographs, the muslins covered with handwritten stories, and the room full of women embracing each other, the impact was immediate. Seeing the stories in their eyes, hearing them tell their truths in their own voices – raw, brave, unfiltered—stirred memories of my own journey in a way I hadn’t expected. It reminded me how transformative it is when people dare to speak honestly about what they’ve lived through.
Maria was there, and her hug was as warm and grounding as the support I received from Maternal OCD during some of the darkest, most frightening days of my life.
She walked me over to where my own contribution was displayed, and it felt emotional in a way I wasn’t fully prepared for. My storyboard centered around the theme: “When the world saw one thing; I felt another.”
One photo showed the truth – me exhausted, broken, struggling under the weight of depression brought on by perinatal OCD after my traumatic birth. The other, taken on the very same day, was the version I posted to social media: filtered, smiling, polished, “fine.”
Two realities, side by side. This contrast captured what so many mothers do – hide the pain, the fear, the overwhelm – because motherhood is complex, messy, and sometimes incredibly dark.
The exhibition was formally opened by Baroness Luciana Berger, Chair of the MMHA, who spoke powerfully about the mission to remove stigma and ensure that no woman or birthing person ever feels alone or unsupported. Carolyn then shared her own lived experience of trauma during the perinatal period, and how this project had become a way to transform her difficult history into something that might offer strength and hope to others. Her vulnerability set the tone for the entire event.
And that, I think, was the thread connecting every story in the room. Different backgrounds, different journeys, different experiences—yet all linked by a shared desire to help others, to speak openly, to hold space for the truth of motherhood. We weren’t weaker for sharing our vulnerabilities. We were stronger. There is real power when women come together and say, “This is my truth. This is what motherhood looked like for me.” Something freeing. Something unifying.
My storyboard ended with the line: “By sharing this moment, I hope others know they’re not alone in their hidden struggles. This is also motherhood.” I meant every word.
The exhibition closed with a panel featuring the ten incredible women whose stories shaped the project. Listening to them speak—about pain, healing, advocacy, and the work they now do to support others – left me in awe, and at times, in tears. Their strength was palpable.
I left feeling grateful, humbled, and deeply honoured to have played even a small part in something so important. Thank you, Maternal OCD for asking me to represent you. It was a privilege and a moment I will never forget. ❤️
The incredible Sarah
I recently took on the Lake Dorney Duathlon for the very first-time, all in support of the incredible charity Maternal OCD. Thanks to the generosity of so many, I was able to raise nearly £1,600! This funding will go directly toward the charity’s essential work – raising awareness about perinatal OCD, supporting research development, advocating for dedicated services, training healthcare professionals, and developing recovery resources for those affected. I feel so lucky – and excited – to be part of the Maternal OCD team, alongside the inspirational Maria and Diana, to help in any way I can ❤️
What Inspired Me? When I was unwell, Maternal OCD’s work gave me hope. I remember feeling completely lost, tired, and overwhelmed — something I know many others have felt too. Taking on this challenge felt like I was saying thank you, and to show that recovery and brighter days are possible.
What was my training like and what challenges did I face? I’ll be honest – when I first signed up, I wasn’t sure what I’d gotten myself into! Training was both physically and mentally demanding, but also incredibly rewarding. Some days, it felt amazing – I’d come home buzzing and other days, it felt like a mountain.
There were early mornings when my legs were heavy, my motivation low, and I questioned if I could really do it. On those days, I reminded myself why I was doing it – for all the mums who are still in the thick of it, who can’t yet see that light at the end of the tunnel.
I broke training down into small, manageable goals – just like my recovery. One run at a time, one cycle at a time, one step at a time. Slowly, things that once felt impossible started to feel achievable again.
I won’t lie – there was a point during the actual event where I thought I couldn’t do it. I felt panicked (something that hadn’t happened in a while!). But then I remembered Maria and Diana’s words of encouragement from their email:
“Please know through every minute of the event, we will be supporting you – and just think of those women you’ll help by doing this.”
That message kept me going. It reminded me that I wasn’t just running or cycling for myself – I was doing it for every woman who’s ever felt like she couldn’t keep going.
Two years ago, I couldn’t even face walking to the shops. The exhaustion and hopelessness I felt during the final stretch of the race mirrored exactly how I used to feel just trying to get through everyday life. But pushing through reminded me that achievements come in all shapes and sizes. You don’t have to run a duathlon or complete a marathon to achieve something incredible. Sometimes, the biggest victory is getting out of bed, taking a walk, asking for help, or opening up to someone you trust.
If you’re struggling right now – please know that brighter days are ahead. It may take time, but be gentle with yourself and believe it. One day, you might find yourself taking on something you never thought possible.
How will we use the funds raised? This experience has inspired me even more to work with Maria and Diana at Maternal OCD — and there’s something very exciting in the pipeline that I’m currently part of (I can’t say too much just yet, but watch this space!)
https://www.justgiving.com/page/sarah-burelli-1732621546472?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
The fabulous Ellie
Ellie and her family and friends generously gave their time and fundraising efforts to swim either 2.5km or 5km to raise over £1200 for Maternal OCD – we are so very grateful and love the t-shirts, a big thank you from us!
Please see below a heartfelt message from Ellie:
‘For those reading this, who are affected by OCD or are watching the torment it causes for loved ones, please have hope. Finding this page could be the start of your journey to recovery. In and out of the wrong treatment for years, I was sceptical that anything would ever help me – but finally finding the right treatment and the right people to help, made a world of difference and has given me a toolbox by which to recover and manage the demon that is OCD. There are people out there who know and understand OCD so well that they give you an incredible sense of hope – life can change for the better, and with that comes light and happiness at the end of a dark tunnel. X’
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/monsterswim5k
The amazing Ashley Curry
The fabulous Ashley Curry tirelessly ran 10 x 10k runs for Maternal OCD and in his words ‘threw in a half marathon too!’ We are so very grateful for all of Ashley’s time, support and energy.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ashley-curry2
Fundraising support from Nottingham Trent University staff and students
‘Diana and Maria are two women with contagious passion who do some important outreach work through their fantastic organisation Maternal OCD. Diana has delivered a guest lecture to my Year 3 Psychopathology class at Nottingham Trent University on the topic of perinatal OCD, and has inspired my students to try to help make a difference to the lives of mothers suffering with OCD. Through bake sales, book and DVD sales, and raffles supported by generous NTU staff and students, our class has raised nearly £1,000 to help support Maternal OCD with the stellar work they are doing. And we had lots of fun doing so! We encourage others to help make a difference through fundraising or making a donation to this worthy organisation!
Since then, Maternal OCD has kindly invested some of the funds towards research into helping investigate the possible determinants of perinatal OCD onset. A research team at Nottingham Trent University, led by myself, Dr Nadja Heym and Dr Fraenze Kibowski, has completed a qualitative interview study, and are now working hard to launch a large survey study. We look forward to sharing our results!’
Dr Eva Zysk, Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Nottingham Trent University
A big thank you to Eva and the team for fundraising and supporting Maternal OCD and for showing such an interest that there is now also a research focus – so very exciting and can’t wait to read results – thank you!
The wonderful Marie
Marie is a mum who offered to run a very unique race to fundraise for Maternal OCD and PND & me – a 5k inflatable run! A big thank you for all the time it took to train and fundraise for this different type of run!
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/inflatable5k4PMH