-
Free Educational Workshop to Focus on Maternal Mental Health
Maternal Mental Health Problems. Young Woman Holding Cute Little Newborn Baby Standing Near Window At Home, Upset Pensive Millennial Mother Suffering From Postpartum Depression, Copy Space
Nutley Family Services Bureau (NFSB) is excited to continue its free Mental Health Monthly Workshop Series with “Maternal Mental Health: Before, During and After Baby.” This community education event will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 pm at NFSB, 169 Chestnut Street in Nutley, across the municipal parking lot from The Mental Health Counseling Center.
The workshop will be led by Laura Munoz-Torres, LAC (Licensed Associate Counselor), ATR-P (Provisional Registered Art Therapist), NCC (National Certified Counselor) and Kristen Petullo, Master of Social Work (MSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Both NFSB clinicians are highly trained, but their personal experiences with maternal mental health are just as valuable as their training when it comes to this important topic.
“As mothers and moms to be, we sometimes need to be reminded that we’re not alone,” Laura said. “It takes a village to have and raise a child. Everyone needs a support system, whether that support comes from the husband, partner, family and friends, or counseling. Kristen and I want people who come to this workshop to feel empowered with knowledge and confident enough to apply that knowledge.”
What You Can Expect
Laura and Kristen will deliver an informative presentation and welcome questions and discussion on a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:- Common maternal mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as common causes of these disorders
- How to identify symptoms of maternal mental health disorders
- How to build a support system
- Options for having a child and giving birth
- Treatment options such as individual, family, group therapy and safe medication choices
“Many women expect to feel joy and happiness, but this is a major life change that can have negative side effects for not only moms, but dads, partners, and family,” Laura said. “Feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and grief are common. If left untreated, these disorders can make it difficult for a mother to connect with her child or provide the appropriate care. In some cases, disorders can become dangerous.”
Women who struggle with infertility experience many of these emotions and sometimes feel overwhelmed with guilt, as if their inability to have children is their fault.
“Our role as clinicians and educators is to provide support, share our knowledge and resources, and make sure women understand their options,” Kristen said. “Education and awareness alone can help reduce stress. We want women to understand that struggling to have a child or adjust to motherhood are nothing to be ashamed of. These feelings are more common than you think, and help is available.”
Register for Our Free Maternal Mental Health Workshop Today!
Reservations are strongly recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Call NFSB for more information at 973-667-1884, option 1. Please visit the NFSB website for the full schedule of events and topics in our Mental Health Monthly Workshop Series.
