It Was a Very Lonely, Difficult Time — Trishia’s Story
We want the best health outcomes possible for all North Dakotans, and we believe when our neighbors share their stories with others, it helps all of us identify and address the barriers affecting our own communities. In this blog, Trishia Powell shares her experience as a licensed independent clinical social worker in Fargo who specializes in women’s mental health.
The postpartum time is a major life adjustment, and there is still a level of stigma attached to asking for help.
- Trishia Powell
Trishia Powell wasn’t sure at first what she “wanted to do with her life” when she started college at Minnesota State University in Moorhead, but once the social work bug bit, it didn’t let go. She loved that this degree would open up a variety of career opportunities for her in the field, and she went on to earn her master’s degree in social work from the University of North Dakota.
It was during an internship for an inpatient and outpatient facility that Trishia found herself getting more and more interested in pursuing a mental health specialty. “[That internship] opened my eyes to the number of people who depend on these services and supports in their everyday life,” she told us.
Years later, after going through her own personal journey with postpartum depression and anxiety, Trishia started looking more into women’s mental health as her primary treatment area. She was especially eager to work with fellow mothers.
“Although I had a great support system after the birth of my first child, it was a very lonely, difficult time,” she said. “The risk factors for postpartum depression and anxiety were not discussed in my regular OB appointments, so I was not aware at the time of how many risk factors were present for me. I started to educate myself, asked for help from my doctors, and was fortunate enough to have two more children without experiencing difficulties with postpartum depression and anxiety again.”
Wanting to take all that she learned during her own postpartum struggle and help other mothers going through similarly difficult times, in 2019, Trishia co-founded Becoming Balanced, a private practice based out of Fargo with an overall focus on helping women be well — physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
Trishia and her coworkers know firsthand how difficult it can be for women to take care of themselves, both physically and mentally, particularly when they become parents.
“After becoming a mom, I realized how challenging it can be to find the balance in life, which is so important for all moms,” she said. “Juggling working full-time and being a mom to three definitely has its challenges. There is a constant pull between building on your career and being there, supporting your family in every aspect.”
Throughout her 20-year career in the field of social work, Trishia has seen time and again the many ways people get women’s mental and postpartum health wrong. But not just the patients themselves, or their loved ones. No. Trishia even sees these misconceptions crop up among experts who work in the medical field.
“There are too many overgeneralizations made of women and mental health,” she said. “One of the most common I hear is, ‘It’s just the hormones.’ Although these can contribute at times, there is so much more in the big picture. The number of demands placed on women is great and can be overwhelming. The postpartum time is a major life adjustment, and there is still a level of stigma attached to asking for help. However, asking for help is one of the most important things one can do!”
On top of her other credentials, Trishia also completed a certificate training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through Postpartum Support International and often cites the universal message given by PSI to any woman struggling with their mental health: “You are not alone, you are not to blame, and with help you will be well.”
Despite the fact she works full-time with a family and three children at home, Trishia told us that her chosen career has actually helped her find balance in her own life.
“Being a co-founder of a private practice that focuses on women’s mental health has allowed me the opportunity and flexibility to do more of ‘what feels good’ and less of ‘this is what you are required to do,’” she said. “Educating, supporting and empowering others is so important to me.”
When looking at the future of North Dakota through her professional lens, Trishia sees much room for improvement when it comes to mental and postpartum health support for women, and she recently joined the newly formed North Dakota chapter of Postpartum Support International to help empower other women going through the same things she once experienced as a new mom.
“Unfortunately, there are many underserved areas in the mental health and postpartum health arena in North Dakota. One [of our goals] is to expand to all areas of the state to spread awareness, education and support. I am hopeful that this will be possible and that the stigma will be reduced to allow for all who need mental health support and services to receive them.”
May is Maternal Mental Health month, a time when organizations around the world come together to raise awareness for increased mental health support for women and mothers. Postpartum Support International is part of this worldwide taskforce and has a wealth of resources and support available on their website.
If you have a story about how an illness or disease has impacted your life, we want to hear from you. Share your story with us here. It could help your neighbors — and create a healthier North Dakota for all of us.