Give to Support PMADs

Organization Image

A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota (PSI-MN)
Fundraiser image

1 in 5 birthing persons will experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder

$305

raised by 8 people

$500 goal

Dear family & friends,

I stepped into the role of Executive Director of Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Minnesota’s (PPSM) in January of this year. I have been involved with PPSM for nearly every year of my professional life as a social worker. I have seen this organization go through so many seasons of impact on emotional health and wellbeing during pregnancy and postpartum. The need to support this organization and the work its doing has never been greater. The pandemic has changed the way individuals and families receive support in the time around pregnancy and postpartum and research tells us that maternal mental health crises have gotten worse. 

On May 20th, we are hosting our TENTH ANNUAL fundraising event, the Daisy Dash. 

While my journey of connection to PPSM started professionally, my passion for perinatal mental health took a very different turn when I was pregnant with my second child. At 24 weeks pregnant, I experienced a pregnancy complication where I experienced a 5 1/2 week hospital stay to try to ensure baby would grow a little longer before delivery. After that, I was discharged home with restrictions and was one of the very fortunate ones to carry my pregnancy until 38 weeks before we met our daughter. 

This complication disrupted everything that had previously been sailing along. My 2 year old toddler and husband were left to figure out new routines all on their own and I experienced a significant amount of isolation and fear while at the hospital. Due to my professional training in mental health and my knowledge of the significant risks to birthing folks (and their children) when mental health needs are untreated or undertreated, I flipped into action mode. I proactively engaged with perinatal mental health folks and came up with plans for addressing the big scary things facing us: a potential NICU stay, isolation from loved ones, monotony and sadness related to the hospital confinement. Even with all of that support, it was a scary time for me. Years later in therapy, I worked on grieving the experience of a "normal" pregnancy I had so deeply desired.

Here's the kicker - My story isn't unique. There are hundreds and thousands of birthing people each year who have stories of ordinary and extraordinary happenings while they are trying to create their families. Some struggle with infertility, others with loss. Some are having trouble engaging with the support so desperately needed in those early newborn days. And yes, we lose some to this struggle. The landscape of perinatal mental health struggles is vast and wide and we need your help to change this. EVERY story I have ever encountered working with this population has one thing in common - the human need for connection in the face of challenges. PPSM is working to continue connecting folks to one another and deepen our impact within the perinatal community. 

It is my personal goal to raise $500 this year. 

$500 is no ordinary goal. This represents almost all of the funds to fully supporting 1 family with postpartum doula care - when we know mental health can be at its most fragile. I cannot complete this goal without help and support from the family and friends in my life. If you followed along when I was pregnant with my daughter, if you are passionate about supporting new families in this season or if you just care about what others are passionate about, please consider a donation to help me hit this goal! No amount is too small. Donations are tax deductible within the United States. 

Funds are being raised for Pregnancy and Postpartum Support MN (PPSM), which is the state chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI). PPSM was founded by a group of mental health professionals who were passionate about perinatal mental health and has now grown to encompass parents, many different perinatal professionals as well as a board of directors who all work tirelessly to help support PPSM’s mission to increase awareness, advocacy, support and training around PMADs. Community resources such as free postpartum doula support and direct peer support are dependent on the funds we raise. PPSM has a goal of raising $30,000 this year through the Daisy Dash and its fundraising campaign. A donation to my fundraiser would mean so much to not only me but the community of families who PPSM helps each year. 

Please spread the news to family and friends. Even if you haven’t experienced a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder yourself, someone you know has. It's as common as 1 in 5 birthing parents and 1 in 10 partners.

Thank you for generously supporting this cause (and me)!


This fundraiser supports

organization image

Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota (PSI-MN)

Organized By Mandy Wannarka

Giving Activity

Comments

Log in to leave a comment. Log in