History of the

Foundation
Alexis Joy D’Achille was known for her quick sense of
humor and ability to put others at ease. She and her
husband, Steven, happily welcomed their baby girl,
Adriana, in August 2013. Six weeks later, overwhelmed
by symptoms of postpartum depression that she
couldn’t control, she took her own life.
In the weeks following, Steven decided to make it his
mission to do what he could to prevent such tragedies
from happening again, and to create a legacy for
Adriana to carry on in her mother’s name.
Postpartum depr
ession
is a treatable medical illness that affects about 15 to 20
percent of women after giving birth. Symptoms—which
can include confusion, sadness, hopelessness, and guilt
—may start shortly after delivery and continue for
weeks or months. Postpartum depression can be hard to
spot, because symptoms are similar to the "baby blues,”
a short-lived state that affects up to 70 percent of new
mothers. Only 15 percent of all women with perinatal
mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum
depression, ever receive professional treatment.
 Alexis joy
foundation
They help to make you aware of the
warning signs of postpartum depression.
Their partnership with Allegheny Health
Network provides greater access to
needed help. It was created to raise
awareness of postpartum depression, to
help women and their families spot
warning signs, and support mental
healthcare provider in Pittsburgh and
beyond.
.
 The Alexis Joy D’Achille
Foundation for Postpartu
m Depression

In 2015, the foundation awarded $100,000 to

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) to explore new
ways to boost awareness of postpartum depression,
make it easier for women to seek treatment, and
examine emerging models of care.
Since starting to work with the Alexis Joy
Foundation in early 2015, AHN has distributed more
than 5,000 copies of a brochure with Alexis’s story,
information about signs of postpartum depression,
and resources for treatment.
AHN is also piloting a telemedicine program to
immediately assess women identified by their
obstetrician or other doctor as having symptoms of
postpartum depression. Women identified are
immediately seen in their doctors’ offices via a
video-conferencing program by a psychologist. They
are then referred for treatment, which can include
medication, outpatient, or inpatient care.
 Plans for the
future and types
of servises.
They provide support via access to experienced
therapists to help with areas such as postpartum
depression, infertility and infant or child loss. This
intensive postpartum therapy can lead to quicker
recovery, and help with bonding between mother and
baby
In the future, AHN and Alexis’s Army plan to expand
the telemedicine triage to pediatricians’ offices and
develop treatment options that allow mothers to
continue to bond with their babies.
https://youtu.be/
Nqs9mxVleNA