Chrissy Teigen, AHN Team On Postpartum Depression Initiative

PITTSBURGH, PA - Model, author and activist Chrissy Teigen and the Allegheny Health Network are teaming on a new initiative to boost awareness on postpartum depression and anxiety.

The #MyWishForMoms effort hopes to draw attention to the widespread occurrences of postpartum depression. More than 500,000 new mothers developed it last year, but only 15 percent of them received treatment, according to the American Psychological Association.

Postpartum depression is characterized by extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion. Teigen has suffered from it.

"I'm grateful to be able to use the platform that I've been given to reduce the stigma that many women feel when talking about these very real and treatable conditions," she said in a statement. "I wish I had known that postpartum depression can happen to anyone because I didn't think
it could happen to me."

Teigen recently visited the AHN Women Alexis Joy D'Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health
to meet with women who have received treatment for postpartum depression and/or anxiety. She filmed a series of videos highlighting each woman's story and demonstrating how postpartum depression is treated.

"My wish for moms is that they know they aren't alone, and they are supported by the more than 500,000 women who share their experience each year," Teigen said. "Imagine if we can get as many people talking about postpartum depression and anxiety as those experiencing it, and let
them know help is available."

For more information on the initiative, visit http://www.mywishformoms.org/.