SALT LAKE CITY -- Each step up Ensign Peak is a symbolic step closer to seeing the light.
"As a new mom, in the throes of postpartum anxiety, I could not gain perspective to see what was happening," said Lyndsay Aerts, the organizer for Salt Lake City’s ‘Climb out of the Darkness’ event.
Aerts said she struggled with anxiety after she had her baby, and she credits support and resources from postpartumprogress.org with helping her make it through a tough time and realize: She’s not alone.
"You feel like you're a bad mom if you're not bonding with your child or in complete bliss, and it's not true,” said Jessica Ferguson.
She participated in the climb in Salt Lake City on Saturday morning to help raise awareness and bring the postpartum struggles many women feel into the light.
Hikes are scheduled in cities across the world, from Salt Lake City, to London, to the United Arab Emirates. According to organizers, one in seven women suffer from postpartum depression, but only 15 percent seek help.
"It's an issue a lot of people deal with silently," said Carly Cash, a hiker at the event.
The event is held on the longest day of the year, symbolizing a chance to shine the most light on the issue.
"They are not alone; so many women are going through this, so many people are here today supporting this cause," Aerts said.
For more information and resources regarding postpartum depression, visit postpartumprogress.org.
