Alex’s Story

I tell people all the time that everything went south for me after I had my daughter. I had a fortunate pregnancy with minimal issues and a relaxed labor and delivery, but I was wildly unprepared for what came after.

I was struck with such a deep well of emotions, and not all of them were the positive ones we all anticipate and hope for. I was having suicidal thoughts and experiencing symptoms of psychosis that left me a shell of myself, desperately trying to care for a newborn on my own.

I ended up in the hospital, where they connected me with POEM. I called the night I was admitted, desperate for someone to finally hear me and listen. When I got the call back, the relief I felt after hearing those first words cannot be measured: “You're not alone.”

I attended support groups, spoke with my mentor, and things got better. My story ends on a positive note: a healthy, happy daughter and a healthy, happy mom right alongside her.

I am eternally grateful for what POEM gives to this community and for what it gave to me.