Compass Perinatal Peer Support Volunteers

Sarah is a co-founder of Compass Perinatal Peer Support and PSI-Oregon Board Member.  In her active role as a local PSI Support Coordinator for Compass Perinatal Peer Support, she passionately supports local families facing Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs).  Struggling through new parenthood herself; feeling isolated, exhausted, bouts of anger, anxiety and thinking that it would never end,  Sarah sought out local moms groups to join.  Although they helped with the isolation, she still felt as though she was the only mom feeling that way.  A year or two after her 2nd son was born, Sarah was presented with an opportunity to co-facilitate the moms group at a local hospital that she had previously attended.  During these meetings she soon realized that other moms were holding back from talking about how they truly felt (as she did herself).  This became even more apparent in her professional life as a Birth Doula supporting new parents with their transition into parenthood.  With this realization, together with a couple of other local birth professionals, Sarah became a local PSI Coordinator and co-founded Compass Perinatal Peer Support, a space where local families can feel fully supported through their perinatal mental health struggles.

Kat is a local PSI Support Coordinator and facilitates support groups for Compass. Her journey started when she attended a local moms group, (that Sarah co-facilitated), with her first child. Eventually, Kat joined the volunteer team and co-facilitated the local hospital moms group. When Kat became pregnant with her second she was finally able to realize that she struggled with severe anxiety and depression in pregnancy. As she sought appropriate help for mental health struggles, she felt the stigma and discrimination in being an advocating voice for new mothers. Kat was eager to join Compass Perinatal Peer Support and Postpartum Support International to create a safe space for sharing and to be an advocate for perinatal mental health awareness in her community and state.