One in 5 to 7 moms, and one in ten dads will experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder in their childbearing years. This number increases when focusing on mothers of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - up to 70% of NICU Moms will experience a PMAD.

Every day, behind the closed doors of the NICU, I see moms and dads fighting alongside their tiny miracles through the roller coaster journey of the NICU. As a NICU Nurse, I support families through what is likely the most emotional and heartbreaking time of their lives, as they leave a piece of their heart with us while their babies develop and grow. I pursued my passion and became the Perinatal Mental Health Support Coordinator of the NICU and started the NICU Family Support Group which I am blessed to facilitate. I developed a screening and follow up program in our NICU, to provide support for our parents in the fight against perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).

I am a member of Postpartum Support International (PSI) because I know that together we can make a difference. I am trained in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through PSI and am currently working towards my certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C). My dream is that every mom and dad can receive the compassionate mental heatlh care that they deserve and need. I hope that one day, we can end the stigma against mental health issues related to childbearing. Our Milwaukee area is lucky to have some incredibly passionate providers, peer support specialists, and mental health advocates. Our network allows us to work towards our goals of reaching out to struggling moms and dads, and connect with them trained providers, dedicated services, and peer support. Our community needs your support in order to continue spreading awareness, advocating for improvement in treatment, and providing the outreach services that our local moms and dads need. I am thankful that I am able to refer families to PSI-WI, Mom's Mental Health Initiative, and The Womb Room, and I hope that we can continue to utilize these services in the future with your support.

I thank God that I am able to touch the lives of so many new parents in need of mental health services, and help them find their light in the darkness of PMADs.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.

Postpartum Support International's Climb Out of the Darkness is the world's largest event for raising awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, while raising money and building community.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.
If you or someone you know is suffering, PSI can help: Call 1.800.994.4773 or Text 503.894.9453