Cameron Rogers shares the tools, honesty, and support she wishes every new parent had when facing postpartum depression and anxiety.
Postpartum depression and anxiety are far more common than many of us expect. While society often portrays early motherhood as a blissful time, the reality is that it can also be overwhelming, lonely, confusing, or frightening.
Both things can be true: you can love your baby deeply and still emotionally struggle. However, when the cultural script dictates that new mothers should feel only joy, it becomes more challenging to discuss the more difficult moments, and even harder to ask for help.
Mental health advocate (@cameronoaksrogers) and Conversations with Cam podcast host, Cameron Rogers, knows how powerful it can be to speak honestly.
After experiencing postpartum depression herself, she chose to share her story so that other mothers would feel less alone.
“The more we speak about our struggles and challenges, the more we realize we are not alone,” she says.
Her work on social media and beyond has created a safe, judgment-free space where mothers can acknowledge raw emotions, connect with community, and get support.
This guide draws from Cameron’s experience and perspective, offering gentle guidance for anyone navigating postpartum depression or anxiety, or supporting someone who is.
Many of us learn about postpartum depression in a way that makes it sound immediate and obvious: that it hits as soon as your baby arrives. Cameron once believed this, too, yet her experience was very different.
Her symptoms “did not onset until closer to month four.” Like many mothers, she assumed she was “in the clear” once she made it through those first early months.
It can be disorienting when symptoms appear later, especially if life seemed stable for a while. That shift doesn’t mean you did anything wrong; it simply means your brain and body are still adjusting to the change.
Hormones fluctuate, sleep patterns change, support systems shift, and your emotional load increases. All of this can contribute to new or worsening symptoms.
The emotional landscape of new motherhood is often intense. Cameron describes it as feeling “suddenly in color rather than black and white.”
You may experience joy and exhaustion in the same hour, or love and resentment simultaneously. These feelings can be startling, especially if you expected your emotions to stay consistent.
Cameron recalls how her identity and energy shifted toward caring for her baby: “My baby was now the first person I thought about when I woke up, the last person I thought about when I fell asleep.”
This deep love coexisted with a need to care for herself. The reminder that “you can’t pour from an empty cup” helped her remember that her well-being was still essential, not selfish.
Postpartum can make you feel more like yourself and less like yourself all at once. There is no right way to feel. Whatever is present is real and valid.
There is so much pressure on new mothers to be grateful and joyful at all times. When reality doesn’t match that script, guilt can creep in.
Cameron encourages loosening the grip on perfection: “It’s unrealistic to love every single aspect of anything you do. Especially motherhood; it can be really hard!!”
She embraces the idea that two things can be true at the same time. “I can absolutely love my kids and I can want a break,” she says.
“The power of ‘and’ is very strong!!” Giving yourself permission to feel the full spectrum of emotions helps dissolve shame and opens space for compassion.
Remember, you don’t have to enjoy every moment to be a good mom.
When your world feels uncertain, small moments of joy and regulation can make a big difference. Cameron encourages “finding small things that bring you joy and prioritizing them,” especially when big changes feel impossible.
These grounding moments might look like a walk outside, breathing fresh air, listening to a favorite podcast, or savoring a quiet cup of coffee.
Gentle movement, sunlight, and small routines can help calm your nervous system and remind you that you are more than your symptoms.
It’s okay if these moments are brief. Taking five minutes for yourself is still a form of self-care.
After giving birth, it is common to wonder what is “normal.” Many mothers question whether their feelings are temporary overwhelm or signs of postpartum depression or anxiety.
Cameron encourages reaching out early rather than waiting for clarity: “My biggest recommendation for any mom struggling is to seek professional help in the form of therapy.”
Talking with a therapist or healthcare professional can help you understand what you are experiencing and offer tools for relief.
Cameron shares that ongoing therapy and medication have been central to her care: “I am in weekly therapy and have been on medication for my anxiety for the past 4 plus years.”
For her, these supports opened the door to enjoying motherhood more fully.
Although no amount of preparation can fully capture what postpartum will feel like, having support in place makes it easier to reach out when you need help.
Cameron recommends lining up a therapist, prescriber, and lactation consultant before giving birth. “These three people, specifically, can be vital,” she notes, especially when you are overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
She recognizes that the current system makes it difficult for many mothers to access care. Even so, identifying providers ahead of time can make it easier to get support during moments when finding help feels impossible.
It is not a sign of weakness to plan for support. It is a sign of care.
Telling the truth about how you’re feeling is one of the most powerful ways to begin healing. Yet sharing can also feel vulnerable, especially if you fear being misunderstood.
Cameron believes honesty is essential. She encourages “open and honest communication with your partner about all of your emotions.”
You do not have to have the right words, just your truth. Allowing your support system to see what’s happening inside creates space for them to show up with care.
Cameron also highlights the importance of her broader community: “I rely on my village every single day.”
Whether it’s venting to a friend, letting a family member help with the baby, or simply laughing with someone who understands, connection can make the weight feel lighter.
Feeling alone can be one of the hardest parts of postpartum mental health challenges. And Cameron has immense empathy for this pain: “I want to give [you] a hug from afar, because I know how isolating and hard this can feel.”
She wants parents to know that isolation doesn’t mean you are truly alone. If opening up to family or a partner doesn’t feel accessible or doesn’t feel like enough, reaching beyond your inner circle can offer relief.
Additional support may include talking with a friend, joining a postpartum support group, or connecting with others online.
The first step can feel daunting, but sharing what you’re going through with someone can make the weight feel more manageable. Community, in all its forms, can help you feel seen and less alone.
In the middle of postpartum depression or anxiety, it can feel like there is no end. Cameron’s message is simple and grounding: “This stage is not forever. It can feel so permanent and daunting and like your life is always going to feel this way, but I promise it will not.”
There is hope. Your feelings deserve care, and better days are possible.
Postpartum depression and anxiety are deeply human experiences. They can show up immediately or months later, quietly or intensely.
None of it reflects your worth or your ability to love your child. Seeking help, speaking honestly with people you trust, welcoming community support, and making room for joy in even the smallest moments can all help you feel less alone.
You deserve compassion. Your feelings matter. And as Cameron reminds us, no matter how heavy things feel today, this season will not last forever.