Taboo topic being addressed at upcoming Lehigh Valley event

• Climb Out of the Darkness aims to educate people about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
• One in five women will struggle with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
• The event will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at New Creation United Church of Christ, 3730 Nicholas St., Easton

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When Charlotte Safrit became a new mom, the usual overwhelming sense of joy that normally comes with child bearing was plagued with chronic worry and intrusive thoughts.

"As soon as I ever saw anything on the news that happened to someone that was bad, I would automatically envision these pictures of it happening to my baby,” said Safrit, an Allentown mother of two.

“Then I couldn't get them out of my head and they would go 'round all day long in my head and they just kept popping up."

With nothing to compare her feelings to, Safrit said she told herself the thoughts were normal.

"As far as I know, this is who I am now," she said. "I am a new mom. Maybe I just worry a lot. I don't know what's OK and what's not OK, and how to define those things as a new mom."

Looking back on that time period now, nine years later, Safrit said she can easily identify the mental health crisis she was going through.

Now Safrit will volunteer at Climb Out of the Darkness, an event raising awareness on the topic, from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at New Creation United Church of Christ at 3730 Nicholas St., Easton.

Presented by the Pennsylvania chapter of Postpartum Support International, the event will be the first of its kind in the area and part of the world's largest event raising funds and awareness for the mental health of new families.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to register.

'It doesn't look like depression'

Safrit has since had a second child and less anxiety knowing what to expect. She said sharing her story could help others not feel so alone when they experience similar feelings.

Safrit said she's now committed to getting the word out about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, which are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

"Truthfully, I did not know that I had postpartum depression or anxiety until it was better and then I could recognize that the worries and the fears that I had previously, were not normal because I don't have them any longer,” she said.

“It doesn't necessarily look like depression. Maybe I'm just worried all the time. Maybe I'm afraid to leave the room. Maybe I'm afraid to leave them at daycare.

"All those things are just sort of signs that maybe you need to seek support."

'It would have changed my life'

Event Director April Gabriel-Ferretti of Nazareth said one in five women will struggle with perinatal mood disorders and anxiety disorders.

“For women of color, the numbers are even higher — it's one in three," said Gabriel-Ferretti, who is aboard member for Postpartum Support International, the group sponsoring the event.

"A lot of people don't even realize that men can be part of that as well. So with men, we're looking at one in 10.

“We're looking to spread awareness about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

"It's the number one complication in birth and not only are we looking to spread awareness, but we are looking to create community around this issue and to let people know that there are supports and services available for them during this really critical time."

Safrit said that had she known that she could have sought help during difficult period, "it would have changed my life.”

"It's, I think, probably just as beneficial as talking to mothers before they give birth about CPR, or about how they're going to feed their baby," she said.

The afternoon event's festivities will include information from doctors and other healthcare professionals about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and a walk to raise awareness.

There also will be activities for children.