Stories of Hope

In our blog, Stories of Hope, you will find personal stories from moms who have lived through and overcome a maternal mental health disorder as well as guest posts from providers and other respected members of the maternal mental health community.

If you are interested in being a contributor, please contact us for more information.


When Birth Breaks You – My Healing Journey Through Birth Trauma

By Janean Doherty Trigger Warning: Birth Trauma Beautiful. Sacred. Natural. Transcendent. Golden Hour. Perfect. These are all words that would come to my mind when someone would bring up childbirth.  During all my years as an OB nurse, I participated in probably close to one thousand births.  I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly, and spent a lot

Occupational Therapy and Perinatal Mental Health

By Mauly Her Lo Trigger warning: brief mention of stillbirth I found out I was pregnant exactly one month after I graduated with my master’s degree in occupational therapy. Beyond graduation, there were plans to study and take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and be employed full-time. Plans changed when I was filled with repetitive thoughts and

The Healing Power of a Postpartum Doula

by Michelle Wilkins Trigger Warning: Domestic violence O’ The joy of being a mom! 2015 is such a memorable milestone year for me. To be more specific, that is the year that I would find out that I was pregnant with my baby boy. I was 19 years old, in a fairly new relationship and the idea of having a baby

On The Duxbury, Massachusetts Tragedy

Moms Mental Health Initiative is devastated to learn of the tragedy that occurred this week in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Our hearts break for the Clancy family as they navigate impossible grief following these events. We’ve witnessed a robust conversation surrounding perinatal mental health following this tragedy, as Lindsay Clancy’s youngest child was eight-months-old. Social media posts and local media coverage reference

Shining My Light: Don’t Wait For Help

By Mandy Lehman Trigger Warning: Intrusive Thoughts Medical and mental health professionals will tell you that if anxiety or depression runs in your family or if you suffer from either or both of these things, then you are at a higher risk for developing postpartum depression after you’ve had a baby. I nodded my head in agreement while listening to