Yesterday, around 8:30AM, Memphis participated in Climb Out of the Darkness for the first time.  This non-profit event, started by Postpartum Progress in 2013, is the largest effort to raise awareness of perinatal mood disorders.  In only one year, the event has grown from 177 participants to well over 1,000 climbers.  In addition to that, the amount of money raised this year more than tripled the amount from 2013. 

Upon discovering this movement last fall, Beth Hayes knew right away that Memphis needed to be a part of it.  Her work as a Postpartum Doula means she knows better than most how easily women can be at risk for perinatal mood disorders.  1 in 7 mothers experience mood disorders after the stress and hormones of having a baby.  Of those women, only about 15% seek treatment for pregnancy-related mental illnesses, such as postpartum depression.  As a result, “suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the first year postpartum” according to Postpartum Progress.

The gravity of these statistics and Beth’s personal dedication to this cause are how Team Memphis was able to raise over $3600 and get almost 100 people out for the climb on Saturday morning, making us one of the largest walks in the country.  The weather was beautiful and families showed up in droves to unite the community and support a great cause.  Under the Overton Park pavilion, sponsors such as Evergreen Yoga Center, Kidstown, Chiropractic Memphis, Memphis Birth Collective, and Homecoming Postpartum Services all displayed the different resources Memphis offers to pregnant women and new mothers.

In addition to the sponsors, the community of women and their families that came out created a tangible bond that can only be shared between mothers.  Everywhere people were sharing stories and offering encouragement.  For some, this might have been the first time they had a chance to talk about some of the struggles they experienced postpartum.  For others, it was a great chance to learn new ways to express yourself while caring for a new baby.

A little before 9:00, Beth offered sincere thanks to the crowd for everything that was done to help her make this day a reality.  Then the climbers set out in two squads to walk through the old growth forest trails behind the dog park at Overton Park.  The symbolism of the hike through the woods that ends when you emerge into the sunlight of the park represents a mother’s struggle with the darkness of postpartum illness.  After the hike, everyone retired to the pavilion and massive children’s playground next to Rainbow Lake.

Light snacks and plenty of water was offered while everyone enjoyed the musical entertainment of Jeremy & Michelle Shrader.  This talented couple charmed young and old alike with their jazzy rendition of many popular songs.  You can relive the magic over on the How To Leave Home youtube channel.  (Once again, my new camera is the bee’s knees.)

Throughout the morning, Erica Jancelewicz grabbed photos of all the adorable moments that inevitably happen when kids are having fun.  She also carried the COTD “I’m back” sign, which offers women a chance to capture their bravery at surviving their own postpartum battles.  There is no better way to support people who are suffering than saying “you are not alone, I went through this too.”

Beth Hayes was thrilled with the turnout and emphatically reassured everyone that she would be back again next summer (June 20th, 2015) with the same zealous devotion to this cause.  Team Memphis was one of the top 10 contributors to the $150K raised worldwide for Postpartum Progress.  The organization passed it’s fundraising goal of $100K by more than 50%.  That means that the bar for next year has been raised.  With the effort put in by this tight knot of 2014 supporters, we should be able to easily keep pace with the rest of the nation and show our support with even more flare in 2015.  Go Memphis!