The Emily Effect

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The Emily Effect

Join us in our movement to and help raise awareness for moms who suffer from perinatal mood disorders like postpartum depression and anxiety

You know that feeling...the one you get when that uniquely influential person in your life—whether it be a friend, coach, mentor, family member, or sweetheart—inspires you to do and become more. It's that difficult-to-describe influence which settles in your mind and heart, and becomes a motivating force to lead you to a higher plane. It's the often unspoken, impassioned plea they offer you which shapes the person you are now becoming. That is the effect Emily had on me. Everything about her sparked the good in me. She had a way of inspiring me to see the potential in myself. She had "that look" which would boost me when I was down and glum and give me a shot of confidence when I needed it most. She had the words to say at just the right moment to move me past a negative scenario and quickly onto the "silver lining" . It was that look of, "I will never give up on you!". She stood by me when I wasn't at my best. She loved me through the difficult moments of our life and made certain I knew of her unequivocal love. She carried the biggest megaphone and wasn't afraid to use it when I achieved successes in my life. She encouraged me to committedly fulfill all of the important responsibilities for which I had been given. She gently nudged me when I needed, but never forced or compelled me to act. She celebrated the simple and avoided the unimportant. Whatever "it" is—she had...and she graciously shared it with me. And that, my friends, is the galvanizing effect Emily Cook Dyches had on me and most everyone else she encountered.

02/24/2026

Ten years ago, grief did not politely knock on my door. It tore through my life and broke me open, creating a void so vast and painful I was sure my life would never be the same again.

And I was right.

What I didn’t know was that this pain was expanding me.

What felt unbearable became greater capacity.

The dark space carved out by pain has become a larger vessel for light and joy.

More questions about mental health led me to crucial answers — for myself and others.

Carrying grief has enlarged my capacity to help others carry theirs.

The desperate search for purpose brought healing as I found it.

The void of separation from Em expanded my circle of people to love and be loved by. Not compensation - love multiplied. I call them miracles.

In questioning whether God was in the hole of my own depression and anxiety with me, I discovered that He was — and why I will never leave Him.

Wading in anger, regret, doubt, and hopelessness has shown me this that God can handle them. He is the way through them.

Heartache and gratitude now share a room in my heart.

I’ve had to test what I thought I knew before February 24, 2016. I know those things with greater clarity now — and more. I don’t have all the answers, but I trust the One who does.

In my need for healing, I am being transformed in the process.

What was hollow has now become HOLY.

Because what was hollow has been filled with Him — Jesus Christ.

Healing is not quick or simple. It’s continual and personal. The grief, longing, pain, and more - still occupy space in my carved-out heart.

And so do God and Jesus Christ and the incredible gifts I’m receiving in this expanded space.

Loving Em has filled me. Missing her is refining me.

Connection was her specialty. It still is. God continues to use this gift and her light in the expanded space she left behind — and He has filled it with something beautiful.

God doesn’t break. He fills. Because that’s who He is.

If you are in a season of mental or emotional breaking, please hear this:

The brokenness is not the end of your story.

It’s the place where expansion begins.

02/10/2026

You are doing a good job! If you need a little more help, all you need to do is make a call.

That’s right, help is only one phone call away when you or a loved one needs a listening ear and guidance in finding maternal mental heath resources!⁣
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Experiencing a mental health crisis catches most moms and families off guard. Not knowing where to turn to for help can intensify feelings of overwhelm. This is why familiarizing yourself and loved ones with resources in advance is crucial.⁣
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One of the best resources I recommend for a mom in crisis or a mom who simply needs more help and support and doesn’t know where to start are PSI Coordinators. PSI stands for Postpartum Support International and coordinators are trained volunteers who provide support, encouragement, information, and resources by phone, text, or email. They help connect moms and/or their loved ones to local providers and resources who are trained in maternal mental health.⁣
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To find a PSI Coordinator in your area outside of Utah, visit: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/locations/⁣
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To find a your local PSI Coordinator in Utah, visit: https://www.psiutah.org/emotional-health/resources-info/⁣
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Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and bookmark this post for easy access for when you might need this information. 💛⁣
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02/03/2026

One of the primary purposes for creating an environment of healing for moms who suffer from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders was to revive a community where empathy is plentiful and shame is dispelled. Something that Emily was so passionate about pursuing was vocalizing her story, not for fanfare, but so that other moms knew that what they were experiencing was not a result of a character defect or moral failure, but very real symptoms of very real complications that arise during the pregnancy and postpartum period.

Today we want to hold and acknowledge this sacred space. We see you. Motherhood is difficult, but it does not need to feel like torment or despair. Symptoms of PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) are symptoms, not who you are. The depersonalization of (not over-identifying with symptoms as part of you who are) symptoms is a crucial component of the healing process. If you see these symptoms in yourself or see these symptoms manifest in a loved one, understand that help is available. We encourage you to check out our resource highlight where you can find maternal mental health providers in your area.

01/31/2026

Mental health does not discriminate! That’s why it’s so hard but also is why education is so important. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

01/29/2026

What helped you with your ??

Remember, if symptoms worsen or don’t resolve, tell someone!!! Tell your partner, family member or supportive friend that can help you talk to your doctor about next steps.⁣
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Remember, in a crisis you can call or text 988.⁣
To find further resources you can check our highlight, reach our to at psidirectory.net or call the hotline at 833-9HELP4MOMS⁣⁣⁣⁣

01/23/2026

We all fall into the comparison trap sometimes. Yet how many of us stop and think about whether or not those comparisons are serving us? The reality is that they never do, especially because the comparisons we make are based on our limited perspective...both of what life is really like for other people AND because too often we are looking at ourselves through skewed lenses.⁣
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We all know that comparing ourselves with others is ineffective. But what if in our attempt to shun this practice from our lives (and rightfully so), we are also missing out on opportunities to experience the genuine learning and growth that comes from looking to the examples of others? What if we could have the best of both worlds?⁣
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In order to do this, we have to start with ourselves. Self-worth is just that—it’s about ourSELF. As we focus on recognizing and developing our own strengths, as well as the many great things we have going for us in our lives, we have a foundation to stand on (we can acknowledge both the hard AND the good, it doesn’t have to be one or the other). Our worth and motivation in life then becomes about something that is actually in our control—our beliefs about ourselves and our experiences. Contrast that to making our worth about where we stand in comparison to others and that is a foundation that is sure to crumble time and time again. When we choose to genuinely learn from others without making it about our worth, we are utilizing one of the greatest learning opportunities we have in this life. It’s a shame to think that we are sometimes missing out on connection and growth when we allow comparison to paint us into the corner of shame and discouragement...⁣
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So...let’s stop doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Meaning, let’s stop comparing ourselves to others and instead focus on our own strengths AND mindfully learn from others in a way that builds and serves us. This is something I myself am continually working on. Who wants to join me? Give me a 🙋‍♀️ in the comments if you do. 😊

01/14/2026

Thoughts from a therapist on affirmations:

If they feel weird when you start saying them, that is normal!! When you try thinking and speaking in a different way than your brain is used to, it feels different. But also, that’s the point! If you want to change the way you feel you have to change the way you think and affirmations are a great place to start!

What are your favorite affirmations?
If this is helpful please like, comment and/or share. It helps us spread our message of love and support for women, especially those struggling with postpartum mental health needs. 🤍🤍🤍

01/06/2026

Give yourself a checklist for the week that really matters today...⁣⁣
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01/03/2026

In case you haven’t noticed, investing in yourself is a message that is preached frequently around here. And for good reason. We often hear contradicting messages when it comes to being selfless and “sacrificing ourselves” in motherhood. If we aren’t careful, adopting a black and white view of what it means to be selfless could be harmful not only to ourselves, but to those we love. There are plenty of opportunities for selflessness in motherhood. Opportunities we will all undoubtedly take on a regular basis. All the more reason why we MUST invest in ourselves by practicing self care, putting ourselves on our own priority list, and doing things that fill our buckets.⁣⁣⁣⁣
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When you invest in yourself you will have the capacity to make those sacrifices and in turn, you and your family will be better off for it. If there is one message I am committed to shouting from the roof tops over and over again it is this: Taking care of yourself is the best investment you will ever make. TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IS TAKING CARE OF THOSE YOU LOVE!!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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How do you invest yourself? How do you plan on taking care of yourself this year? We would love to hear! Please share in the comments.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

12/18/2025

Translation: one of the most effective ways to learn and progress is by making mistakes!⁣
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Learning through experience is an integral part of being human. ⁣
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Yet too often we play the blame and shame game when it comes to making mistakes or not reaching our goals. I’m not saying we have to be happy about our mistakes or celebrate our “failures.” But we are doing ourselves a huge disservice when we attribute our mistakes and failures to perceived character flaws, believing we’re not good enough, and/or beating ourselves up needlessly. ⁣
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Again, learning through our experiences is an integral part of being human...let’s allow ourselves to go through that process rather than shaming ourselves for it, especially in motherhood. Understanding that failures and making mistakes are part of growth and success is called having a growth mindset. ⁣
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✨Our children don’t need moms who don’t fail or make mistakes. They need moms who model what to do when mistakes are made. ⁣
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✨Our children don’t need moms who are perfect. They need moms who love and accept themselves IN their imperfections.⁣
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✨Our children don’t need moms who have it all figured out. They need moms whose lives reflect a growth mindset. ⁣
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Every breakthrough, success, or form of progress throughout history is a result of many, MANY failures. I’ve always believed that the only failures or mistakes that are truly worth labeling as such are the ones we don’t learn and progress from...⁣
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💗 What “failures” have lead to your successes and growth?⁣⁣⁣⁣

12/16/2025

That’s right, help is only one phone call away when you or a loved one needs a listening ear and guidance in finding maternal mental heath resources!⁣
⁣
Experiencing a mental health crisis catches most moms and families off guard. Not knowing where to turn to for help can intensify feelings of overwhelm. This is why familiarizing yourself and loved ones with resources in advance is crucial.⁣
⁣
One of the best resources I recommend for a mom in crisis or a mom who simply needs more help and support and doesn’t know where to start are PSI Coordinators. PSI stands for Postpartum Support International and coordinators are trained volunteers who provide support, encouragement, information, and resources by phone, text, or email. They help connect moms and/or their loved ones to local providers and resources who are trained in maternal mental health.⁣
⁣
To find a PSI Coordinator in your area outside of Utah, visit: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/locations/⁣
⁣
To find a your local PSI Coordinator in Utah, visit: https://www.psiutah.org/emotional-health/resources-info/⁣
⁣
Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and bookmark this post for easy access for when you might need this information. 💛⁣
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12/10/2025

As we are all coming out of the winter blues/seasonal depression fog, I have a challenge for you today.

Pick one of these areas to focus on and take some steps to make some small changes. That’s it. 😁 Feel free to share in the comments.⁣⁣⁣⁣

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Salem, UT
84653

Website

http://theemilyeffect.org/donate/

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