Non-profit working to help mothers with mental health

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Did you know one in five women say they suffer from some kind of mental health issue in the months before or after giving birth?

The majority never get care or find connection, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Now, a local non-profit has new resources to change that thanks to a grant. It Takes a Village just received $15,000 to put toward programs to help moms locally.

“I have had some struggles with mental health,” said Destiny Pentleton. “Different things like that, and just dealing with being a mom. But I do enjoy and love being a mom. It’s my greatest joy.”

Pentleton lives in Kennett with her four girls: Kaylani, Kybrin, Kamora and Karielle.

She says she loves being a mom, but raising four children between the ages of 1 and 6 and working fulltime can be stressful.

“I went through a lot of different stuff, just being a mom dealing with postpartum depression with my first baby, baby-blues,” said Destiny. “I dealt with it my entire pregnancy and just needing different kinds of support. At one point I did not have a car.”

Destiny’s story isn’t unique. According to the AAMC, 20% of mothers suffer from a mental health disorder during the perinatal period. That is the time between pregnancy and a year after birth.

Postpartum depression is the most common, but for some women issues are more extreme.

75% of moms with perinatal mental health conditions never get treatment.

Destiny says for a while she struggled, but that was before she found It Takes a Village. The non-profit offers prenatal and postpartum education and support of all kinds for moms.

“Trying to deal with it by myself was making it difficult,” she said. “Being ashamed. “Once I started getting help and going to therapy it helped me.”

Besides helping moms with everything from pregnancy support to breastfeeding, to access to doulas, It Takes a Village also just received a new grant from Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The grant is for $15,000 to help improve maternal mental health through community support.

“I think when women are supported, we can change the world,” said Sarah Kilpela, President of It Takes a Village. “We are going to do online support groups to make it easy to access. We are also going to have a party in the park, spa days, paint nights and more just so moms can get a break and get connected.”

Sarah herself is a proud mother of six.

“I am still in the trenches with them,” said Kilpela. “I know what they are going through. I couldn’t do it without my village.”

She says she wants moms to know it’s ok to not be ok.

“This is just something we have needed for so long. Woman feel like they need to do it all. They think they can’t reach out for help because it’s a sign of weakness. For me having my village and having my support group has been phenomenal. It really improved my postpartum journey, and I really want other moms to feel loved and supported and taken care of too,” she said.

As for Destiny, she encourages other mothers to reach out.

“Keep going, keep the faith and stay strong. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help,” said Destiny. “There are people here to help you. You do not be afraid, don’t suffer in silence there are a lot of resources for us mothers.”

Tap here to learn more about It Takes a Village and programs offered.