Digital Roots: Going Deep And Wide

Staying engaged and connected helped Veronica deal with post-partum depression. Although motherhood is one of the most joyous experiences for a woman, it has a flip side, too, and no one knows it better than Veronica Aquino, HR manager at our Philippines office.

Back in 2021, when Veronica delivered her first baby, she suffered from post-partum depression. Frequent mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, and depressive episodes have all been a part of her life in the days following the birth of her daughter. “I had lost interest in everything. I came from a stressful environment that affected and triggered my post-partum depression,” Veronica said.

Returning to work after the birth of a baby can be a daunting task for a mom, and it was the same for Veronica. Sometimes women worry about catching up on work. At other times, a new mother worries about leaving the baby with a care provider. One of the most challenging tasks is to find a new routine and work-life balance after time off. “I am thankful to my family and friends who have supported me through this,” she said.

When CriticalRiver reached out to her with a new job, she agreed to take responsibility. Work and friends helped her recover from the depression within a few months. Each employee’s voice is valued at CriticalRiver, and nurturing an inclusive culture where helping is a two-way practice is imperative for new moms like her.

What worked for Veronica to get out of the depression was staying engaged and connected to people. Added to this was the support from her colleagues. “Aside from my family and baby, CriticalRiver, now my second family, is my motivation to keep going,” Veronica says.

Challenges will keep coming, but you will also have people around to help you attain your goals, said the motivated mother. “We all come in with our different perspectives. But it feels great to feel included in the organization for who you are,” she said, hoping she would continue to work for years with CriticalRiver. Amen to that!