Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Nurse Leanne Howlett has been awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.

She was honoured in recognition of her work advocating for parents affected by perinatal mental illness, raising awareness, challenging stigma and improving access to support.

The award specifically recognises her services to health visiting, reflecting her efforts to highlight the vital role health visitors play in identifying, supporting and advocating for families experiencing perinatal mental illness.

Leanne works as a Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Nurse within Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, supporting women/birthing people and their families experiencing moderate to severe mental illness during pregnancy and up to one year postnatally. Her role involves offering assessment, treatment and ongoing support, helping parents to manage their mental health, strengthen their relationships with their babies and families, and work towards recovery.

Through Leanne’s clinical practice, wider advocacy work and as an expert by experience, she has promoted and encouraged change and understanding of perinatal mental illness, recognising early identification of difficulties and encouraging women and birthing people to seek support when they need it.

The aim of Leanne’s work has always been to improve outcomes for women and birthing people, babies and families affected by perinatal mental illness in Oxfordshire, by helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma, more parents may recognise when they are struggling and feel able to seek support earlier.

Leanne said:

“I feel extremely privileged to have been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Kings Birthday Honours. The work I do is born from my passion and dedication to supporting parents with their mental health. Perinatal mental illness can be a frightening and overwhelming experience, affecting not only parents but entire families.

“Having walked that path myself, I remain deeply committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma and helping ensure that parents receive the support, hope and understanding they deserve.”

A former solicitor, Leanne chose to retrain as a specialist mental health nurse to help others after experiencing mental illness following the birth of her two children. She wanted other parents to receive the understanding, support and care she did during a challenging time.

Drawing on her own lived experience, she has become a leading national parent voice, working with organisations including the Institute of Health Visiting, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Anna Freud Centre and Maternal Mental Health Alliance to raise awareness, influence policy and challenge stigma. Her expertise and advocacy have seen her regularly featured in the media and invited to speak in Parliament.

Consultant Psychiatrist and Chief Operating Officer Mental Health and Learning Disability Rob Bale said:

“The impact of poor perinatal mental health can be felt by mums, parents, families and children for years even after people receive the care and support they need. That’s why its so important people understand about perinatal mental health and the work Leanne does is crucial and valuable to the people who use our services.

“We are delighted and couldn’t be more proud that Leanne has been awarded a British Empire Medal at this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.”

What are the King’s Birthday Honours

The King’s Birthday Honours celebrates people from all walks of life who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, dedication to public service, moral courage, innovation, or a commitment to improving the lives of others. Recipients are recognised for their significant impact within their communities, professions, and across wider society, reflecting the diverse talent and service found throughout the UK. The honours list includes a range of awards and distinctions, such as knighthoods, damehoods, Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and other honours.