Deirdre Griffith

Derby Champion and Mental Health Advocate Smooths the Road for New Parents

Deirdre Griffith, local real estate professional, passionate equestrian, and dedicated community member, has changed the way that new mothers and fathers experience their first six weeks of parenthood. And she did this by competing in a 621 mile horse race across the Mongolian Steppe.

Deirdre was raised in California and grew up riding. Her love of horses steadily grew over time, leading her to the robust equestrian program at Thacher School and then Colorado State University to study Equine Sciences. Outside of school, Deirdre dedicated her free time to work on ranches, pack outfits, and guiding trail rides in the summer. After graduation, she put her skills to work at an elk hunting camp where she met her now husband, Vance.

When they welcomed their first daughter, Deirdre felt completely unprepared for the experience of post-partum motherhood. She reflected:

“I struggled with post-partum depression with each pregnancy. At first I couldn’t identify how I was feeling and didn’t recognize it as depression. Once I realized it, I was faced with the prospect of not knowing where to turn, cold-calling therapists, paying for sessions not covered by my insurance, and scheduling counseling sessions while working & having a newborn. The first time around, I gave up. Discouraged and too exhausted by what seemed to be a part-time job of getting help, I stopped and went at it alone.”

In parallel, Deirdre qualified to compete in the Mongol Derby, a 1,000 km endurance horse race that replicates Genghis Khan’s horse messenger system across the Mongolian Steppe. As a part of this process, Deirdre chose to fundraise to improve the post-partum experience for new parents. Deirdre explained, “I want to set the example for my girls that no dream is too big, and they can accomplish anything to which they set their minds -no matter their stage in life.” She set her mind to both the race and the fundraising goal and blew both out of the water.

Deirdre not only won the Mongol Derby in August 2022, but her funding successfully launched a Parental Wellness Program in the St. John’s Health Birth Center that connects new parents with the mental health resources they might need.

The program is layered upon existing operations. Before parents and their newborns are discharged, members of the Lactation Support Team share information about mental health resources, which are available to the patient at no cost. Lactation consultants, who are already calling every patient at weeks two and four, are now conducting mental health screenings and can provide referrals within the St. John’s network within 24 hours. Any barriers to care are removed so that parents can focus on their new baby and their own mental health. Thanks to Deirdre’s vision, these parents have support every step of the way.

The Parental Wellness Program has been operating for 6 months and will continue to grow and develop as we come to better understand the nuanced behavioral health needs of our patients.

Thank you Deirdre for your passion and dedication!