Northeast Georgia Health System is partnering with Gainesville psychologist Susanne Stribling to create a support group program that helps new mothers experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression.
The program will feature two separate tracks- one for mothers who have delivered within the last year and another for new mothers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
While a date for the first meeting is pending, the current plan is for group members to meet via a Zoom conference until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Although the program is primarily for mothers who deliver at one of the medical centers within the health system, according to Bridgette Schulman, Clinical Specialist for the Women and Children’s Department with NGHS, providers for NGHS will also have access to information on the program to pass along to their patients.
“We really wanted to do a better job of identifying moms that may need some extra support,” Schulman explained. “Both identifying these moms and then making sure that they have the support they need when they go home.”
Schulman said that recent data suggests between 20 and 25 percent of new mothers experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Northeast Georgia Health System assists with around 4600 deliveries each year.
According to Stribling, the support group program is a great way to help women who are a part of that statistic.
“There’s a good bit of research out there that supports that support groups are effective for postpartum mothers and they can significantly lower or eliminate depressive episodes for women,” said Stribling.
Stribling said one of the greatest benefits from a postpartum depression support group is the sense of encouragement between the group members. She said this support group also creates a safe space for new mothers to discuss their experiences.
“Women need support from other women,” said Stribling. “This is a place to share in a non-judgmental environment that it’s not about doing a certain thing right, it’s about taking care of yourself so that you can be the mom that you want to be.”
Stribling said she is currently in the process of collecting referrals before hosting the first meeting. Her plan is for the meetings to focus primarily on conversation about topics such as psychoeducation, getting sleep and good nutrition.
Stribling said she is also planning to bring in a dietician and lactation specialist as guest speakers.
“This is a group for women to be empowered,” said Stribling. “What they’re feeling is important, they deserve to be taken care of, they deserve to ask for help and to get the help that they need.”
Stribling said that each meeting can contain up to twelve members. The groups are open, meaning anyone can join at any time. Women who are interested in joining can contact Stribling at 404-586-4878 or find more information on her website.
