A Safe Space for Maternal Health
Baptist Health launches The Motherhood Space Day Program
Last month, Baptist Health Jacksonville officially opened the doors to The Motherhood Space Day Program, which will provide support for anyone battling perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).
PMADs is commonly referred to as postpartum depression.
The Motherhood Space Day Program is a continuation of Baptish Health’s “commitment to supporting the behavioral health needs” of its community, according to a Baptist Health press release announcing the new program. Eligible patients can participate in the program for up to three weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The program is located at the Winston Family YMCA, in the Baptist Healthy Living Center, and it is led by a team of psychologists specializing in perinatal mental health.
The Motherhood Space Day Program is an extension of Baptist Health’s Maternal Mental Health Service Line, said Jill Garrett, licensed psychologist and director of The Motherhood Space Day Program.
“After I had my own daughter, about eight years ago, I kind of recognized that we didn’t really have as much emotional support that could be necessary for helping moms and family,” she said.
Garret said they worked to address and eliminate any barriers that might prevent someone from participating in the program. This includes offering complimentary childcare through the YMCA’s KidZone, providing free transportation through JTA and scholarship money for those on Medicaid.
The program accepts most insurance plans.
Baptist Behavioral Health Vice President Dr. Terrie Andrews said child and maternal health consistently rank in the top three for Baptist Health’s regular community health needs assessments.
“What we realized is that there is not a lot of resources in the community to provide support to expecting and postpartum moms within the first year,” Andrews said. “There’s not a lot of psychologists in the area who have dedicated training and certification to be able to work with these moms.”
The Motherhood Space Day Program provides a holistic approach for participants, including a wellness component for each session like yoga or walking therapy.
An outpatient program like The Motherhood Space helps “break down the stigma of seeking help,” Andrews said.
“Parents and moms, in particular, need to take care of themselves in order to take care of their families, so it’s not a luxury, it’s a requirement,” Garrett said. “And we also know the numbers are there: As many as one in five moms, and as many as one in three moms of color, will experience what are called [PMADs]: That’s any emotional challenge – depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar – that occur during pregnancy and postpartum.”
Baptist Health Jacksonville has also posted 40 educational videos The Motherhood Space YouTube channel that addresses a series of topic from “strategies for support”, “PMADs 101,” “baby blues” and “self-screening tips.” These videos are the second in a three-tiered approach Baptist Health has taken to addressing maternal mental health.
Tier 1 provides education and resources to the providers throughout the community, Andrews explained. Since January, Garrett has trained “well over 300 providers” on what PMADs are, signs to look out for and how to refer patients into the program.
Tier 3 is the day program itself.
The Winston Family YMCA is located at 221 Riverside Avenue. More information about The Motherhood Space Day Program can be found at baptistjax.com/motherhoodspace.
By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News
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