Motherhood is beautiful.
IT’S ALSO HARD AF.
I knew having another baby would change my life. What I didn’t expect was for my life to be dismantled moreso than changed.
After I had my third baby on Christmas Day 2021, my
mental health began to unravel in a way I never would
have believed possible—had I not experienced it myself. I tried everything: my OB-GYN’s office, online counseling, even a suicide hotline. But none of those resources gave me what I needed. As it turned out, what I needed was inpatient mental health care.
My memoir is a raw, humorous look at the unexpected
realities of postpartum depression, a behavioral health
inpatient stay, and the long road back to myself. But it’s also a call to action: Why aren’t we doing better for new mothers when it comes to mental health care?
Hi, I’m Ashley L. Hall
Author | Advocate | Mama
If motherhood doesn’t feel like you thought it would—and especially if you don’t feel like you thought you would after giving birth—you’ve come to the right place.
Postpartum mental health can look different for everyone: depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, anger, numbness, hopelessness, or some combination of them all. Just as postpartum depression doesn’t look the same for every mom, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all, either. Finding what works for you may take time. Until you begin to feel like yourself again,
keep asking for help, keep exploring your options, and keep seeking the care you need. You will feel happiness again.
Organizations
I’ve worked with
Don’t be afraid to say it out loud.
Let’s talk about the things no one warned us
about and no one wants to talk about.
Postpartum Support International HelpLine:
call or text 1-800-944-4773
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline:
call or text 1-833-852-6262
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
call or text 988
911: if there is an immediate danger to safety
Get In Touch
Have a question, a story to share, or simply want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out using the form below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
