Title: Utah Women Find Hope and Healing in Community Support Amid Postpartum Depression
Subtitle: ANYA and The Sad Moms Club provide resources for maternal mental health
Salt Lake City, UT – Postpartum depression affects 1 in 3 women in Utah, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. For many new mothers, the joy of having a baby can be overshadowed by the darkness of postpartum depression, leaving them feeling isolated and frightened. However, there is hope and healing available through a variety of resources throughout the state.
Aubrey Grossen, from St. George, experienced severe postpartum depression herself and founded a community called ANYA, meaning “Mama” in Hungarian. ANYA offers a free Facebook community, retreats, and a paid membership that provides access to therapists and support groups. Grossen’s community has received rave reviews from its members, who have found a sense of belonging and made lifelong friends within ANYA.
Kelsi Perry from Riverton kept her postpartum depression a secret after her first baby, fearing that her child would be taken away from her. Eventually, she attended an ANYA retreat, which coincided with one of her miscarriages. Perry found solace and support from other understanding women at the retreat, and it became a turning point in her journey towards healing. ANYA taught her valuable coping tools such as practicing positive affirmations and prioritizing self-care.
Camille Laycock from Lehi, another member of ANYA, wanted to find more joy in motherhood and overcome her anxiety. ANYA taught her the value of self-care and provided her with life-altering skills. By redefining self-care as activities that promote well-being rather than indulging in unhealthy habits, Laycock was able to find a healthier approach to motherhood.
Another resource available to Utah women facing postpartum depression is The Sad Moms Club, a podcast started by Joni Lybbert, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. The podcast aims to let women know they are not alone and inform them about local resources such as therapists, specialists, doulas, and physicians.
Lybbert stresses the importance of finding a therapist who specializes in maternal mental health, as they create a safe space where mothers can express their deepest struggles without judgment. She recommends visiting maternalmentalhealth.utah.gov to access a list of licensed professionals trained by Postpartum Support International.
Postpartum Support International also offers a phone hotline where women can be connected with a local therapist, eliminating the stress of finding help themselves. The organization also runs free support groups for mothers in various situations, such as those with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or adoptive parents.
Serenity Recovery and Wellness, founded by Lyndsey Proctor, provides specialized care for women during the reproductive years. The facility offers therapy sessions lasting nine to twelve hours a week, allowing mothers to bring their children so they do not need to find separate childcare. The group setting gives women the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges and provides a powerful sense of healing through shared experiences.
Mariana Kartchner from Kearns found solace in exposure therapy at Serenity after struggling with anxiety following the birth of her daughter. Through therapy, she learned to accept her anxiety and incorporate it into her life rather than pushing it away. Kartchner credits Serenity with helping her find happiness and significantly reducing her anxiety levels.
Taeler Houlberg from West Valley City was diagnosed with postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder and received treatment at Serenity. She emphasized that proper diagnosis and therapy were life-changing and saved her life. Serenity Recovery and Wellness has offices in Riverton and Provo and accepts the majority of insurances in addition to self-pay.
With the support of communities like ANYA and resources like The Sad Moms Club and Serenity Recovery and Wellness, Utah women facing postpartum depression have access to the hope and healing they need to overcome their mental health challenges. The importance of community and specialized care should not be underestimated in the journey towards maternal mental health and well-being.