Why I Won’t Stay Quiet About Postpartum Mental Health
People sometimes ask why I talk so openly about postpartum mental health.
Why make it such a big focus?
Why bring it up in my work, my podcast, my social media, my community?
The short answer?
Because silence almost always makes pain worse.
What silence does to moms
I’ve seen how many parents sit with thoughts like:
- “I’m the only one who feels like this.”
- “If I tell the truth, people will think I’m ungrateful.”
- “Everyone else seems to be handling it better than I am.”
When nobody talks openly about postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, rage, or trauma, moms start to think their struggle is:
- A personal failure
- A moral issue
- Something they should be able to “snap out of”
Shame grows in the dark.
When nobody says, “Me too,” it’s easy to believe you’re the problem.
Why I choose to be outspoken
That’s one of the reasons I host the Mama Outspoken podcast.
It’s why I’m walking the Hope Is Here 5k at eight months pregnant with my son.
It’s why I created the campaign Hope Is Here: No Mom Walks Alone.
I want parents to hear a different narrative about postpartum:
- One where they’re not the villain of the story
- One where their mental health is taken as seriously as their baby’s wellness checks
- One where asking for help is seen as strength, not weakness
Telling the truth can be uncomfortable.
It can feel risky to say out loud, “I struggled,” or “I’m still struggling.”
But if sharing my story helps even one parent feel less alone, it’s worth every awkward pause and vulnerable moment.
What I hope you take from this
If you’re a mom or parent who has felt like you had to hold your breath and smile through a mental health storm, I hope my being outspoken gives you:
- Language for what you’ve been feeling
- Permission to stop pretending
- Courage to reach out for support
If you’re a partner, friend, or professional, I hope it gives you:
- Insight into what might be going on behind the “I’m fine”
- A reason to ask better questions
- The motivation to be part of a culture where no mom walks alone
Silence keeps moms isolated.
Honest stories create space for healing.
I don’t plan to stop talking about postpartum mental health anytime soon.
Because as long as even one mom feels like she has to suffer in silence, there’s still work to do.
If you want more real conversations around postpartum and maternal mental health, you can listen to the Mama Outspoken Podcast here.
You are invited to find community with us, check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York - you deserve support that sees you.
