Region 6
Perinatal Quality Collaborative
Genesee - Huron - Lapeer - Sanilac - Shiawassee - St. Clair - Tuscola
Perinatal Mental Health
Storytelling
Perinatal mental health is not discussed as openly as it should be.
Many parents feel isolated by the intense emotions and sudden life changes of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. As a result of the Region 6 Perinatal Quality Collaborative's (PQC) Birth Equity assessment in 2023, a dedicated workgroup was established with the aim of using the power of storytelling to normalize perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs). In 2024, the Region 6 PQC sponsored a workshop for individuals (also known as "storytellers") to create, record, and share their personal stories related to Maternal Infant Health, Birth, Postpartum Depression, and more.
Tianna's Story- "Big Feelings"
Tianna's Story- "Big Feelings"
Ty'yona's Story- "My Miracle Rainbow Baby"
Tiffanie's Story- "Connections"
Using this Resource
There is no wrong way to use this resource. Whether you are listening to these stories by yourself or in a group setting with a facilitated conversation, we hope that engaging with this guide will help:
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Normalize discussions of mental health and destigmatize perinatal mood disorders.
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Build empathy and offer insight into unfamiliar experiences.
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Spark discussions about what supports you and others in your community might need for mental well-being.
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Encourage you to seek professional help if appropriate.
Consider trying this...
For each video, review the title, content warning, summary and key themes before watching. You will find this information in the upper right hand corner of the video with the "i" icon. Then, watch and listen to the virtual story. After each video, take a moment to process the story you heard:
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What thoughts come to mind?
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Can you relate to this experience?
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How did this story impact you?
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After taking a moment to reflect on your own, answer the video’s dedicated questions for discussion in groups or by yourself.
These videos detail experiences of perinatal mood disorders that viewers may find emotionally distressing. Viewer discretion is advised. If you need mental health support, please click the button below for resources.
Collaborate with us:
Organize your Community
Screening Event in 2026
Region 6 PQC welcomes you!- community organizations, coalitions, hospital systems, and partners to host local Storytelling Screening Events across the Region. We'd love to use these videos to uplift and raise awareness of the impact that perinatal mental health conditions can have, and the ways in which organizations can support birthing people and their families suffering from these conditions.
For the events, partnering organizations will help connect Region 6 with a local site, catering, and recruit community members to join. Region 6 will provide the videos, a discussion guide, and a list of connections to perinatal mental health resources in the Region.
If your organization is interested in partnering, or would like more information, please contact Danielle Guty at dguty@mphi.org
Goals of a Community Screening Event:
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Bring individuals together to view the storytelling videos with a supportive environment
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Foster substantive discussion about perinatal mental health
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Distribute information about local and regional resources
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Enhance community awareness and engagement