PPDP offers support to moms struggling with depression
Kim Manfredi and Jatnely Gonzalez, co-founders of the Postpartum Depression Project, a Washington County support group for mothers struggling from PPD, acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on new moms无毛视频� mental health.
无毛视频淐OVID really increased the amount of moms we were talking to. It was a whole new ballgame for these moms. They were more isolated, they struggled for longer periods of time, and a lot of moms struggled to find counselors, and would end up waiting six to eight weeks before they were able to talk to someone,无毛视频� said Manfredi.
Indeed, having a baby is a life-changing event and can trigger many different and powerful emotions.
For many moms, motherhood during the COVID-19 pandemic era was a more isolating experience 无毛视频� face masks during delivery, skipping traditional baby showers, fewer visits from family and friends.
A recent study led by the University of Michigan School of Nursing and Michigan Medicine showed that 1 in 3 new people who had babies in the beginning of the pandemic experienced postpartum depression. At least 1 in 7 mothers experiences postpartum depression.
The pandemic impacted PPDP, too. The nonprofit, which had met every Wednesday at the WHS Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, pivoted to weekly online meetings and telephone calls to be accessible to moms.
The group is now back to meeting weekly on Wednesdays, at Panera or other locations, and continue to meet remotely 无毛视频� which has enabled PPDP to reach mothers from other states.
Additionally, PPDP无毛视频檚 无毛视频渕ommy mentors无毛视频� program pairs women who have PPDP symptoms with mothers who have experienced similar situations.
Manfredi and Gonzalez, who both survived postpartum depression and are certified through Postpartum Support International (as are a growing number of PPDP peer volunteers and counselors), are committed to providing support and education to mothers who are struggling and their families, and raising awareness in the community.
Gonzalez has provided outreach for Washington County无毛视频檚 Hispanic community.
无毛视频淭he most important message for mothers who are struggling, even families and husbands, is that we无毛视频檙e a resource where people can call us to be more informed and to get help,无毛视频� said Manfredi. 无毛视频淲e want families and moms and husbands to know we无毛视频檙e here for them too, and for our moms to know, first and foremost, about 80% of women will recover and will recover a lot faster if they无毛视频檙e getting the right help and resources.无毛视频�
Gonzalez said PPDP bridges aims to provide early intervention, and to reduce stigma associated with postpartum depression.
无毛视频淲e want moms to know that they无毛视频檙e not alone. That无毛视频檚 what it无毛视频檚 all about for us, to lend that hand and say, 无毛视频楬ey, I无毛视频檝e been there; I know what it无毛视频檚 like, you are not alone, and we are with you every step of the way,'无毛视频� said Gonzalez.
无毛视频淲e无毛视频檝e seen such growth in the need for maternal mental health, but there无毛视频檚 still so much stigma around it. In the future, I无毛视频檓 hopeful that God continues to touch people无毛视频檚 lives through us, to show they can get through this and that they are not alone. We want to continue to spread hope and education and awareness out there.无毛视频�