Real Talk: What Celebrity Moms Are Doing For PPD Awareness
Towards the end of 2018, I embraced becoming a stay-at-home mom. Amidst the comforting chaos of parenthood, I was submerged in a whirlwind of emotional highs and lows. Yet, nothing prepared me for the overwhelming tide of postpartum depression that crashed upon me after welcoming our first child.
Finding comfort in celebrity narratives
Admitting to it initially felt like conceding defeat in a battle I thought I should have won effortlessly. The mental image of the quintessential "good" mother clashed starkly with my inability to relish every moment of motherhood. Shame clouded my thoughts, painting my struggles as a personal shortcoming.
However, something remarkable happened during this turbulent emotional storm – I discovered solace in the narratives of fellow moms who had weathered similar storms. These weren't just any mothers sharing their tales, they were celebrities.
Serena Williams sharing postpartum depression
Serena Williams was one of the first to speak openly about her struggles with postpartum depression. In a 2018 interview with Harper's Bazaar UK, she described feeling like "a bad mom" and even contemplating suicide after giving birth to her daughter, Olympia.
That was a turning point for me. Seeing someone so accomplished and seemingly put-together share her emotional struggles made me realize that I wasn't alone.
Chrissy Teigen also opened up about PPD
And Serena isn't the only celebrity mom who has shed light on postpartum depression. Chrissy Teigen, who has always been vocal about her personal life with her fans, also opened up about her PPD after the birth of her daughter, Luna.
In a 2017 essay for Glamour, she wrote about how she felt like she wasn't 'a good mom" and how her marriage was 'on the rocks" because of her depression.
All moms are human
These women aren't just speaking out for themselves. They're speaking out for all of us stay-at-home moms who feel like we're not allowed to talk about our mental health struggles. But why is it that we only listen when celebrities are the ones speaking out? Why do their voices carry more weight than the average person's?
It's because we often view celebrities as having the perfect lives. They're rich, famous, and seemingly have it all together. But when they reveal their flaws and vulnerabilities, it reminds us that we're all human. We all struggle, regardless of our social status or bank account balance.
The power of shared stories
When we see celebrities open up about their struggles, it takes away the feelings of shame and self-blame that many mothers feel when they go through postpartum depression.
If somebody like Serena Williams, who is loved and admired, can come forward about their difficulties and pain, it's acceptable for anyone else to do so. It's reassuring to know that we are not alone and that others - including successful and high-profile people - experience something similar.
Breaking down the stigma of postpartum depression
Additionally, it helps to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues such as postpartum depression. Women must know that help is available if and when needed. It's also essential that society changes its attitude towards mental health and acknowledges the fact that it is a genuine issue that needs addressing.
And while it’s essential to seek professional help if you're experiencing PPD, sometimes all it takes is hearing someone else's story to feel less alone.