Leading with Lived Experience: Wendy Davis on Perinatal Mental Health, Peer Support, and Hope
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Episode Notes
Dr. Wendy Davis, President and CEO of Postpartum Support International (PSI), shares her personal and professional journey through postpartum depression and her decades-long leadership in the field of perinatal mental health.
From her early career as a waitress and psychologist to her unexpected experience with postpartum depression, Wendy shares the pivotal moment that shifted her entire career trajectory: when a friend got her involved with a mom-to-mom support group, Baby Blues Connection in Oregon. With this wealth of experience, she went on to take the helm of PSI—now a global nonprofit providing education, resources, and community to families and providers alike.
From navigating the challenges of stigma and systemic barriers to celebrating the power of peer support and lived experience, Wendy’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible and that help is always available. Whether you're a new parent, provider, or policymaker, this conversation is a grounding, hopeful look at how far we've come—and how much further we can go—when we lead with compassion and connection.
Topics Discussed:
Personal Experience as a Catalyst for Advocacy
Wendy shares how her own experience with postpartum depression—despite her training as a psychologist—transformed the trajectory of her career and ignited her passion for perinatal mental health.
Building Peer Support from the Ground Up
She recounts her early involvement with Baby Blues Connection and how peer-to-peer networks became foundational to her work, leading to her role at Postpartum Support International.
From Volunteer Movement to Global Infrastructure
Wendy describes the evolution of PSI from a grassroots volunteer effort into an international nonprofit with structured programming, professional training, and a global impact.
The Power of Lived Experience in Leadership and Systems Change
She emphasizes the importance of integrating survivor voices in program development, staff leadership, and advocacy—particularly in diversifying representation within the mental health field.
Lessons from Unexpected Places
Wendy draws powerful parallels between her years as a waitress and her current leadership role, highlighting the transferable skills of perception, calm under pressure, and teamwork.
Addressing Systemic Inequities in Perinatal Care
She reflects on the challenges of operating within larger health and policy systems, and PSI’s ongoing efforts to increase access, cultural responsiveness, and equity in perinatal support.
Hope, Connection, and the Path Forward
Wendy closes by encouraging new and expecting parents with a message of hope and reassurance, stressing that no one should face perinatal mental health challenges alone—and that help is always available.
“Pregnant, postpartum, and post-loss individuals who are struggling with mental health, stress, and confusion really need to know what PSI says, which is: you’re really not alone. ‘This is not something broken about you. This is not your fault, and you will be yourself again—only version 2.0. You will get through this.”
“If you’re a provider, it is really crucial to safeguard the data that you have and to let people know in reality – not to over-promise, but to say, ‘This is a confidential and trustworthy space. Take your time, but my part of my job is to help you find the help you need, find the resources that you can and hang in there with you while you’re waiting.”
Guest information
Wendy Davis PhD, PMH-C, is the President and CEO of Postpartum Support International (PSI), a global champion for pregnancy and postpartum mental health, training providers and connecting families to the resources and support needed to give them the strongest and healthiest start possible.
Dr. Davis provides leadership and strategic direction to the network of PSI chapters and experts to advance PSI’s mission, vision, and purpose. She oversees PSI’s delivery of perinatal mental health education, support, and services to pregnant and postpartum individuals, families, and providers.
Wendy began her career as a psychotherapist and became a specialist in perinatal mental health after recovering from postpartum depression and anxiety. She founded Oregon’s first perinatal peer support organization, Baby Blues Connection, and believes that peer support and the wisdom of lived experience is an essential part of recovery. She collaborates with health care systems, community organizations, and government agencies, and serves on national advisory boards providing expertise on policy and practice related to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Dr. Davis and PSI partner with advocacy and professional organizations to advance policy, training, and services. She leads the national PSI Mind the Gap Initiative, which brings together a coalition of stakeholders to ensure that Perinatal Mental Health is a national priority. She can be reached at wdavis@postpartum.net