Sarah Ornst Bloomquist
Executive director at Mom’s Mental Health Initiative
Motherhood can be difficult enough without having to navigate the struggles of anxiety and depression—often during pregnancy or even after childbirth. But through Mom’s Mental Health Initiative—a Wisconsin-based nonprofit—locals mothers can feel supported in navigating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through community connection, mental health resources and more.
What motivates you to pursue this kind of philanthropy? I suffered so badly from postpartum depression and anxiety and had such a difficult time finding the right help. I lost any hope that I would get better. But, I did and realized I did not want to see any other mother go through the same pain and hopelessness.
Best advice for someone looking to give back and get involved in their community? I have observed passion often stems from our experiences with discomfort. When you’re in a difficult stage of life, one of the greatest gifts is hope. When you can offer that to someone walking a road you already have from a place of pure empathy, there is great power for healing to happen. For the person you’re helping, but for you, too. So, I would recommend finding something that is life-giving to you and saying “no” to paths that don’t.
What impact do you most hope to leave on the world? On a micro level, I hope our work with moms continues to save lives and helps change the way our healthcare systems and community approaches perinatal mental health disorders. On a macro level, I hope people will learn that we all have a duty to care and support one another.