Topics: Reality TV, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Pregnancy, Mental Health
Warning: This article contains references to mental health and depression in pregnancy that some readers may find upsetting
Jen Affleck has opened up about dealing with prenatal depression during her fourth pregnancy.
The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives star shared a heartfelt and candid post on her social media.
She had previously shared how she experienced prenatal depression back in 2025, during her pregnancy with her daughter Penelope.
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Affleck is keen to raise awareness and break down any taboos or stigma related to mental health and pregnancy, and she shared how the depression worsened this time around.
She wrote: "Prenatal depression came back this pregnancy. Only this time, it came back even heavier."
Recalling the early days of pregnancy, she shared that there were 'many days during my first trimester where my mind went to some really dark places.'
She confessed that it 'scared' her, and hoped that people would be able to understand 'how isolating it can feel'.
It's been a busy time for the 27-year-old and her husband, Zac, as she explained 'Add moving to a new state, being pregnant, and trying to show up for your kids, and some days felt impossible.'.
Despite her setback, she said that 'something beautiful happened in the middle of all of it.'
She praised: "People showed up. Friends, family, strangers… people who had no idea how much they were carrying me just by being there. They reminded me that even when I couldn’t see the light, I wasn’t walking through the darkness alone."
She insisted that she tries to 'count her blessings' despite what she's going through.
The star continued, with heartbreaking honesty: "I don’t believe depression is beautiful. It’s painful, confusing, and exhausting."
"But I do believe God can bring beauty from it. It has made me ask deeper questions," she explained.
"It has made me slow down. It has reminded me what really matters. It has taught me that strength sometimes looks like asking for help instead of pretending you’re okay," added Affleck.
She said while she doesn't have all the answers, what she does know is she is 'here to love deeply. To raise my babies. To tell the truth about the hard parts.;
Affleck signed off the post by revealing why she shares what she's going through: "If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, then every vulnerable conversation has been worth it. If you’re quietly fighting a battle no one else can see, I’m so glad you’re still here."
Jen and Zac are already parents to Nora, 4, Luca, 2, and Penelope, 1.
The couple announced that they were expecting again last month.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
