April 20, 2021 When she began her master’s in social work at BYU, Beth O’Brien already had a clear vision of what she most wanted to accomplish: to provide emotional support to postpartum women navigating the mental health challenges that are common to new mothers.
She knew personally how much it helps women to have high-quality postnatal care. As a mother of six, O’Brien experienced firsthand the difference between not having and having appropriate support for postpartum challenges like depression or anxiety. “The difference was life-changing,” she recalled.
Working in childcare settings for 20 years, O’Brien also began to understand that the best way to support children was to support their parents. “It seemed so unnecessary that in new parenthood, it’s culturally inevitable that we feel like failures and that we’re so isolated,” she said. “It’s contrary to how families thrive. And so I’ve been passionate about supporting families, spec