Anxiety
When your mind won’t slow down—even when everything looks fine.
- Racing thoughts that won't stop, especially at night
- Constant worry that something bad will happen
- Feeling on edge even during quiet moments
Ohio Perinatal Behavioral Health Task Force
More to Our Story
There is more to every parent’s story than what the world can see. This campaign is about making the invisible visible—so no one has to carry it alone.
Pregnancy and parenting are often simplified.
Real experiences aren't.
Behind every smile in a baby photo, behind every “I’m fine”—there can be a deeper, more complex story. Perinatal behavioral health includes the mental health, emotional wellbeing, and coping experiences that happen during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
These experiences don’t always look the same. They don’t always get talked about. And they often exist beneath the surface. This campaign exists to change that.
“What you’re carrying matters—even if no one else can see it.”
Understanding the full picture
What is perinatal behavioral health?
Perinatal behavioral health includes mental health, substance use, and how people cope during pregnancy and postpartum. It is not one diagnosis or one experience. It is a full spectrum of what parents go through, often invisibly.
Understanding this spectrum means recognizing that struggle can look like many things and that every person's story deserves recognition and support. It is not about labels. It is about seeing the whole person.
Families and moments across the perinatal experience
The spectrum of experiences
It doesn’t always look the way you’d expect.
Depression
When the weight of it all makes it hard to feel anything at all.
- Persistent sadness or emptiness that doesn't lift
- Losing interest in things you used to care about
- Feeling disconnected from your baby or your life
Intrusive Thoughts
When your mind shows you things that terrify you—even though you’d never act on them.
- Sudden, unwanted images or thoughts about harm
- Intense guilt or fear about having those thoughts
- Avoiding certain situations to escape the thoughts
Trauma
When past experiences—or a difficult birth—leave marks that don’t just fade.
- Flashbacks to a difficult delivery or past experiences
- Feeling numb or emotionally distant
- Being easily startled or always on guard
Substance Use
When coping looks different than people expect—and judgment makes it harder to ask for help.
- Using substances to manage anxiety, pain, or overwhelm
- Feeling unable to stop even when you want to
- Hiding use out of fear of judgment or consequences
Loss & Grief
When the story you imagined doesn’t match the one you’re living.
- Grieving a pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or NICU experience
- Mourning the parenthood experience you expected
- Feeling isolated in your grief because others have moved on
Requires immediate support
Postpartum Psychosis
When reality feels altered—and urgent support is needed.
- Confusion, disorientation, or rapid mood shifts
- Hearing or seeing things others don't
- Feeling detached from reality or unable to sleep for days
Wherever you are in this story.
For Mothers
Your experience is valid.
Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or parenting—what you’re feeling matters. You don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to have it all figured out to reach out.
Get help you can trust →Share your story →For Family & Support Systems
What you notice matters.
Perinatal behavioral health requires more than a checklist. It requires compassion, cultural humility, and systems that meet mothers where they are—not where we expect them to be.
Learn how to help →For Providers & Organizations
Screening is just the beginning.
Supporting perinatal behavioral health means pairing effective screening with compassionate care and systems that help people connect with the support they need.
Access resources →Your story could help someone else feel less alone.
Every story shared creates space for someone else to be honest about what they’re going through. Whether you write it, record it, or simply name it—your experience has power.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be “past it.” You just have to be willing to say: there’s more to my story.
Stories from our community
Real people. Real stories. You are not alone.
Ohio mothers share what they experienced, what helped, and what they want other families and providers to understand.
Anxiety & Depression
Rebecca’s Story
After giving birth, Rebecca faced severe anxiety and depression that others could not fully see. With treatment and time, she slowly began enjoying motherhood again—and now shares her story to help others recognize the signs.
Read Rebecca’s story
Postpartum Anxiety & OCD
Jamie’s Story
After her daughter’s birth, Jamie’s anxiety spiraled into obsessive tracking, sleep deprivation, and fear. She is sharing her story so other mothers know they are not alone—and that treatment and support can help.
Read Jamie’s story
Postpartum Psychosis
Sarah’s Story
Sarah’s symptoms began during pregnancy and escalated after the birth of her fourth child. She is sharing her story so others won’t feel alone, dismissed, or unseen.
Read Sarah’s story
Birth Trauma
Kelisia’s Story
After an emergency C-section caused by placental abruption, Kelisia lived with birth trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and postpartum depression. She is sharing her story to call for better communication, care, and support.
Read Kelisia’s story
Postpartum Psychosis
Alex’s Story
After a healthy pregnancy and delivery, Alex experienced suicidal thoughts and symptoms of postpartum psychosis. POEM, support groups, and a mentor helped begin the path toward healing.
Read Alex’s story
Help & Resources
Care you can reach right now.
If you or someone you love needs support, these trusted resources can help connect you with care. Call or text 988 for immediate crisis support.
POEM for Moms
POEM offers peer support, resources, referrals, a sense of community, education, and advocacy opportunities to help moms in Ohio feel heard, understood, and empowered.
Visit POEMCall or text 988
24/7 crisis support is available.
Visit 988 LifelineSAMHSA Treatment Locator
Find confidential treatment referrals for mental health and substance use across the U.S.
Visit resourceOhio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
Find local and statewide behavioral health resources.
Visit resourceOhio Department of Behavioral Health
Learn about Ohio's integrated maternal behavioral health programs and support.
Visit resourceMore to Our Story
Share only what feels appropriate. Submissions are reviewed before anything is published, and you may choose to remain anonymous.
Complete the form and submit it to send your message securely.
Your privacy comes first
Every submission is reviewed by the campaign team before anything is published. You may use an alias, request anonymity, and tell the team whether you would like to be contacted about sharing more.
We understand that sharing your story may be difficult or bring up difficult memories. Please remember that this is an activity meant for care. If you find yourself needing care, please refer back to the resources and help available to you.
You deserve support. And your story deserves to be heard.
Whether you’re a parent, a loved one, or someone who cares for families—there’s a place for you in this story. Let’s make the invisible visible, together.