MACON, Ga. — One Macon woman is raising money and bringing awareness to postpartum depression and other mental illnesses that women and families can experience during and after pregnancy.
Britney Asbell, a stay-at-home mom to three kids and birth doula, is hosting 'Climb Out of Darkness' on Saturday in Macon -- a regional walk part of a larger worldwide effort put on by the nonprofit Postpartum Support International.
The climb will be held at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park starting at 10 a.m. She says Team Macon will be walking out to the Great Temple Mound and back, and have activities and snacks for kids as well as giveaways.
Asbell says 100% of the funds raised will stay right here in the state and go towards the Georgia chapter of Postpartum Support International. She says she's passionate about the cause, because she's been there herself.
"So I have battled and survived postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety with all three of my births," she said.
Asbell says she actually went un-diagnosed after her first pregnancy in October 2014, because she thought what she was experiencing was normal. She says it took her hitting a dark place during her second pregnancy, and being admitted into a partial hospitalization for her to realize something wasn't right.
The American Psychological Association says one in seven women experience postpartum depression. Asbell says she was one of the seven.
"You know, it's huge. If you think, you know at least seven women, you know at least seven mothers, at least one of those has suffered," Asbell said. "Nobody really speaks about it, because there's such a stigma surrounding it."
This is the second year Asbell is holding the event. Last year, 45 adults and kids participated in the climb and they raised just over $2,000.
Asbell says the climb is free, but they encourage people to fund raise. People can also donate to the team. This year's goal is $3,000, and they're more than halfway there. She says they have around 29 people registered at the moment.
Asbell says Postpartum Support International is a nonprofit organization she contacted after her second pregnancy. She says they provided many resources when she was battling her mental illnesses, and it's a great resource for moms who are looking for help.
"I was hitting a very dark place, there were days I didn't think I should be a mom anymore, I didn't want to live anymore," Asbell said. "And they played a vital role in helping me find the support that I needed in our area, they helped me find a psychiatrist that I needed, they made sure I stayed in touch with a therapist. They really took care of me."
She says by sharing her story, she's able to help other moms and families going through the same thing and break the stigma.
"I don't want to see any other mom suffer the way I did and struggle to find help," Asbell said.
'Climb Out of Darkness' will be held at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
To register for the climb and to donate to Team Macon, click here. You can also find more information about Team Macon's climb here and more about Postpartum Support International here.