Climb Out of the Darkness Asheville

06/23/2023

This week WE CLIMB.

The Climb Out of the Darkness is a FREE family event and fundraiser bringing support & awareness for Perinatal Mood and
Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) within our community.

As a survivor of perinatal depression, anxiety, and OCD, making sure new parents feel supported through this transformational time is very important to me.

Join us and meet other survivors, supporters, and providers of PMADs as we break the stigma and raise funds to help make local resources more accessible to parents who need them!

WHEN:
Saturday, June 24
10am-12pm

WHERE:
300 Richmond Hill Dr.
Asheville, NC 28806

Follow the link in the comments section to register for Team Asheville on our Classy page!

06/20/2023

What can you expect at the Asheville Climb?

* Find out about local resources that aim to help families in our region!
* Learn about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)!
* Hear from survivors of PMADs as they share their stories!
* Connect with new friends!
* Support those who are seeking help!
* Donate to help support PEHN be able to provide help to local families dealing with PMADs!
* Have snacks!
* Have fun at the kid’s corner!
* Join in a movement experience led by a local provider/survivor!
* Take a walk as a group around the park!
* Leave something/take something stone activity! Write down something you would like to surrender (stress, guilt, worry, etc) and paint a motivational support word on a rock that you can take with you to remind you of how amazing you are even in the hardest of times. ❤ One of us will take the things written down and burn them in a ceremonial fire (we can’t light fires at the park!)

FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS—Come be with your Asheville Climb community this year. We want to be able to meet you, support you, refer to you, and connect with you as we all fight to end the stigma around the struggles so many of us face during the perinatal period. This includes all experiences of pregnancy, birth, loss, abortion, and infertility that affect the WHOLE FAMILY.

The Asheville community has so many amazing providers who are here to help, but so many families struggle without knowing where to turn or feeling like they can’t. Help us spread the word and spread the support!

Richmond Hill Park
Saturday, June 24 10am-12pm

Register link in comments!

06/16/2023

Join us for the annual Climb Out of the Darkness at Richmond Hill Park in Asheville, N.C. June 24, 2023, 10am-12pm. ✨

Let’s come together in community to raise awareness of pregnancy and postpartum mental health disorders such as postpartum depression (PPD), anxiety, bipolar disorders, OCD, and psychosis. We’ll share our stories, enjoy healing arts activities, move our bodies, and connect in community to break the stigma around perinatal mental health.

Survivors, friends, and families around the world climb, hike, or walk together at a local mountain or park to symbolize their collective rise out of the darkness as well as to raise funds for Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pregnant and postpartum families around the world.

We hope to see you at this year’s Climb!

Sign up to join Team Asheville here: https://www.classy.org/team/482095

06/12/2023

Raising awareness for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, The Climb brings our community together to shine a light on a darkness we often don’t speak about. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complication of childbearing.

We're two weeks away from our Climb together on Saturday, June 24 at Richmond Hill Park in Asheville.

Join our team here to sign waiver for the walk or donate:
https://www.classy.org/team/482095

05/25/2023

Recognize the symptoms of prenatal and postpartum depression:

- Feelings of anger or irritability
- Lack of interest in the baby
- Appetite and sleep disturbance
- Crying and sadness
- Feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness
- Loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- Possible thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

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

Please connect with resources. It takes a village.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262 24/7 free/confidential

Find a perinatal therapist- https://psidirectory.com/

05/22/2023

Lets kick off the month countdown to The Climb Out of the Darkness event!
1 in 5 mothers or 1 in 7 fathers will experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy or postpartum.

May 30th 12p FREE lunch and learn virtual event for families to
- learn more about what maternal mental health looks like,
- how providers are trained to help,
- how it’s impacted by breastfeeding,
- what resources are available for expecting and postpartum moms and families.

We will also hear from a mother who went through postpartum and utilized resources that helped make a difference in her experience.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lE3LSGieT527Vp5YeIgKRg?mibextid=Zxz2cZ #/registration

05/18/2023

At times it can be difficult as a parent to take a moment and take care of yourself and your needs. You are not alone. If you need support you can talk to your doctor, therapist, or visit postpartum.net for resources to give you the help and support you need.

05/05/2023

Today is Postpartum Psychosis Awareness Day. Postpartum Support International shares that postpartum psychosis occurs after childbirth in approximately 1-2 of 1000 births, although occasionally psychosis can begin during pregnancy or after pregnancy loss. Of that number, 4% of those involve infanticide.

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis most often begin within the first two weeks after birth and might include delusions, hallucinations, delirium, and paranoia. At times the person loses complete touch with reality.

Psychosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate care and thorough assessment, intervention, and treatment. Although the symptoms of psychosis are severe and present great risk, perinatal psychosis is treatable and individuals are capable of full recovery.

Postpartum Support International and Perinatal Emotional Health Network of WNC work to increase awareness of perinatal mental health. Learn more to be a more informed advocate for yourself and your community.

Image from Cherished Mom

05/04/2023

Did you know, maternal mental health disorders, like postpartum depression, are more common than breast cancer or gestational diabetes?

The most common maternal mental health disorders are anxiety followed by depression. These disorders can be mild or so severe they become debilitating.

If you've experienced perinatal anxiety or depression, share a heart emoji with us in the comments and help spread the word to create greater awareness for parents in our communities.

Did you know, maternal mental health disorders, like postpartum depression, are more common than breast cancer or gestational diabetes?

The most common maternal mental health disorders are anxiety followed by depression. These disorders can be mild or so severe they become debilitating.

A study conducted during the pandemic shows that rates of clinically significant anxiety and depression symptoms have more than doubled - rising to 72% and 41% respectively - among pregnant and postpartum women.

All women are at risk though disparities are stark. Women of color and low-income mothers are faced with overwhelming stressors and, not surprisingly, are several times more likely to experience maternal anxiety or depression., AND are less likely to receive treatment.

Maternal Mental Health Disorders onset during pregnancy, prior to pregnancy or in the postpartum period. When a mother isn’t properly supported and treated symptoms can persist for years impacting her own health and well-being and potentially her baby’s.

Need Help?
🔵 In an emergency or crisis situation, call or text 988.
🔵 In a non-emergency situation, call or text the International HelpLine at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
🔵 Call or text the National Hotline at 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746)

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