The New Normal Episode 7: Functional Psychiatry and Perinatal Mental Health

ABOUT

One of the things we're passionate about at the New Normal, is the consideration of an integrated approach to wellness when it comes to perinatal health. What this means is simply that conventional medicine together with more holistic or functional medicine can be used in a complimentary way to achieve long term health and vitality.

It is for this reason that we are thrilled to have Psychiatrist Jessica Stainbridge come to share her wealth of knowledge as a psychiatrist who not only focuses on Perinatal Mental Health - from pregnancy through to post partum- but who is an advocate of functional approaches to healing mental illness. Jessica's aim is to approach the management of mental illness in a holistic way with the use of evidence-based complementary techniques such as supplementation, nutritional support, the focus on gut health, the use of meditation, yoga, reiki and other mind-body techniques. She's a firm believer in the link between the mind, the body and the soul and therefore encourages the management and care of all three elements in mental illness.

The talk will cover medical information and statistics, the link between hormones and the rest of the nervous system and then why this puts women at particular at risk of developing some psychiatric illnesses, especially around pregnancy.There will be a focus on the perinatal patient experience; how women present, what they present with, how do they know if this is normal or abnormal, when do they seek help and to who. And then looking at ways to prevent the development of mental illness, how to manage it should it arise- particularly looking at hormone support, supplements and other aspects like nutrition, meditation, mindfulness, breath work, amongst others.

And finally like with all these talks there will be a certain amount of myth busting, in this case, Jess will debunk the stigma around medication and educate everyone about the outcomes and long term prognosis of mental illness when treated properly, which is very good!

We cant wait!

For those of you who cannot make it to the event we will be live streaming it with access to the video after at a cost of R150. Select the option Live Webinar when making your purchase.

Lastly, we've partnered with Hatch SA , an NPO that delivers care packs to new moms and their new borns in previously disadvantaged communities. They are doing wonderful work in helping new mammas who often have a lot of trying circumstances to deal with, aside from a newborn, and they are in need of the following items for their carepacks which we'd so appreciate if you could donate at the session on 15 October. If you'll be streaming it and would still like to contribute please follow this link to donate.

• onesies, vests, leggings, warm top, socks, beanies (0-3 months)
• fleecey blanket
• soft small toy
• nappies (size 1)
• baby wipes
• face cloth
• cotton wool
• aqueous cream
• baby soap
• sanitary pads