As Mrs Arizona America I plan to give a voice to all the women that have struggled with or are currently struggling with a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder.  I am a mother of 3 children and for many years I forgot to make myself a priority.  My last child was born 4 weeks early and ended up intubated in the NICU for 10 days.  I grieved for the healthy birth that we didn’t have.  I felt guilt and shame after his birth.  I slowly withdrew from the people and the activities that I loved.  I am a registered nurse on a Mother Baby unit and I help screen for postpartum depression in my patients.  But, I was unable to see it in myself.  I struggled for about 2 years and then on my sons 2nd birthday, my best friend passed away from a brain tumor.  The next 2 years were very difficult for me and I withdrew even more.  After about 4 years of undiagnosed depression and the realization that I wasn’t myself, I reached out to my friend and she shared with me her struggles.  This gave me hope, self-acceptance and I no longer felt alone. 

I am not an expert on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.  But, I am here to tell you how freeing it feels to open up about your struggles.  I want to encourage other women to not hide in the darkness alone.  When you share your story you will find that there is a lot of support out there and you may be surprised to find out that some of the women in your life are feeling the same way as you.  As a community, we need to embrace these women, support them and encourage them.

I will be competing for Mrs America in August.  Donations will go towards my expenses to compete.  If I win Mrs America, I will advocate for women struggling with PMAD on a National level.  Please help me spread the awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.