Warren HEZ to Host Postpartum Depression Intervention for Parents

The Warren Health Equity Zone (HEZ) will provide a free virtual workshop series called Mothers and Babies, which teaches families how to manage stress and reduce the risk of postpartum depression. The six-week series runs from March 15, 2023, to April 19, 2023, every Wednesday, from 6-8 p.m. Mothers and Babies is an evidence-based intervention for both pregnant people and new parents. All participants must register by using the link: online at https://forms.gle/pP9kEpvkSJR3sFM67. Interested participants can also call 401.431.9870 ext. 1635 or email warrenhez@ebcap.org .

According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, "Nearly one in three (29.4%) women report experiencing depression either immediately before, during, or after their pregnancy. " Source: Rhode Island Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), Rhode Island Department of Health, 2019.

"Many women also experience anxiety during and after childbirth," shares Kristin Read, Warren HEZ Project Director. "Many of us know someone who has struggled, or we have experienced it ourselves. We want to acknowledge the issue and create spaces for parents to gather and learn during this moment when we know more families are already coping with anxiety and depression."

Local educator Amy Griffin will be the Mothers and Babies workshop facilitator. She encourages caregivers to join and learn more about how “pleasant activities, thoughts, and contact with others can improve their mood and their bond with their baby.”

A local partner of the Warren HEZ, Pediatric Nurse Manager Joan Rossi, RN and MCH with Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice, values these types of workshops. Rossi says, “Everyone has stress in their lives. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn skills on how to relieve or at least decrease stress in your life.” In her role, Rossi helps new parents through early screening.

The Warren Health Equity Zone is one of 15 Health Equity Zones funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health to help reduce and eliminate health disparities and barriers to wellness in communities throughout Rhode Island. Through collaboration, the Warren HEZ works to empower residents with the skills needed to create community change. For more information, visit https://www.ebcap.org/programs/warren-health-equity-zone/. East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is the backbone agency for the Warren, Bristol, and East Providence Health Equity Zones.

This project was made possible by Grant Number 90TP0027 from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

EBCAP is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation that provides a wide array of health and human services to the residents of Rhode Island’s East Bay, including the municipalities of East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Little Compton, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, and Jamestown. For more information about the agency or to learn how you can contribute please visit www.ebcap.org.