Wellstar Community Outreach
At Wellstar, community outreach is an important facet of our mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.
- Community Outreach
Community Outreach at Wellstar
Wellstar Health System is a nonprofit organization and is committed to being an engaged community partner. At Wellstar, we are more than healthcare, we are PeopleCare, and our passion for people extends into the communities we serve. We are committed to elevating the health and well-being of our community through outreach and partnership that honors all voices. Wellstar relies on and values our community partners and the role they play in positively impacting the health and well-being of every person we serve. Wellstar partners with mission-aligned and other non-profit organizations to address priority health needs and social determinants of health as defined through our Community Health Needs Assessments, and that also further a social cause and provide community benefit. We work alongside our business and civic partners and leaders to amplify health awareness, contribute to economic development and growth, and to help our communities thrive through service. We also partner with both academic and other organizations dedicated to career development to help prepare the next generation of caregivers and healthcare workers in both clinical and non-clinical capacities. In addition to community partnerships, Wellstar also engages in our community through corporate volunteerism, sponsorships, event participation and speaking engagements that align with our areas of focus. Each request for Wellstar to provide community support is carefully considered. Please contact us about speaking engagements, sponsorships, events, and other partnership opportunities. If you would like to receive our monthly Community Update eNewsletter, please submit your request here: [email protected]Just a few outreach examples
Wellstar supports our partner organizations such as those providing access to food and housing by engaging our team members in volunteerism and community service through Wellstar’s CommunityCare initiative. Wellstar also provides health education and awareness on important health and wellness topics such as cardiac health and stroke prevention, breast and prostate cancer prevention, and mental health including suicide prevention, and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
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Health Connect South Brings Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia and Wellstar Leaders Together on Better Healthcare for All of Georgia
PeopleCare
JohnElliottCare
John Elliott was a builder who enjoyed meeting with clients and planning their future homes. But the effects of Parkinson’s disease made it hard for him to meet with clients and live his life. Then he found a new sense of hope thanks to the Wellstar Parkinson’s and Tremors Program and a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS). His experience is a powerful testament to the value of comprehensive care and how his neurologists, functional neurosurgeon and nurse navigator helped him rebuild his life.
Symptoms that were hard to shake
John has been building custom homes in Marietta for 45 years—a career defined by personal relationships with his clients. He loves spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and bushhogging the multi-generational family farm.
But in 2015, John’s hands began to shake. A former client and friend who was a retired neurologist recommended he see Dr. Thomas Holmes, a Wellstar neurologist.
A DaTscan, a type of nuclear imaging test that takes images of the brain, helped Dr. Holmes see a loss in John’s dopamine-producing neurons, which indicates Parkinson’s disease. The progressive neurological disorder affects a person’s motor functions and movements.
At first, medication helped. But years after his diagnosis, John’s medications were barely effective.
“A big part of custom home building is your interaction with your client,” John said. “Meeting with the customer became somewhat of a problem.”
His tremors and involuntary mouth movements left him feeling embarrassed.
“I kind of went into a shell and didn't want to see people because they would make comments, particularly about the mouth movement,” he said. “You want to hide.”
Highlights
Let’s Talk About Mom’s Mental Health
Being a mom* is hard. From the moment your baby is born, everything changes. New moms often feel tired, worried and overwhelmed. But sometimes, the feelings go beyond just being tired. Some moms experience serious mental health concerns—and we need to talk about it.
Maternal mental health means how a mother feels in her mind and heart during pregnancy and after giving birth. Many moms go through things like depression, anxiety or even scary thoughts. This is more common than people think. 1 in 5 moms experience perinatal depression. Mental health disorders—including substance overdose and suicide—are now the No. 1 cause of maternal death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are some factors that can make it more likely for a mom to struggle with her mental health, including:
- History of depression or anxiety
- Difficult pregnancy or birth
- Not having support from family or friends
- Money problems or job stress
- Feeling alone or not having time to rest
- Race as a social construct (1 in 3 Black women may experience a mood disorder during or after pregnancy)
Even though many moms need help, it can be hard for them to access it. There are barriers to care, or things that can get in the way. Some moms are afraid to speak up because they worry people will think they are a bad parent. Others may not know where to go for help. Some moms don’t have health insurance or live far from a doctor. These problems can make it harder to get better. In addition, not all obstetrics clinicians have had sufficient training on the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and management of mental health medications during pregnancy and/or lactation.
The good news: Help is out there. Mental health challenges after having a baby are treatable. And there are options that really work. Talking to a therapist—virtually or in person—can help moms feel heard and understood. Sometimes medicine can help too. Support groups, where moms can talk to each other, are also helpful. Getting rest, eating healthy and having help with the baby can make a big difference.
It’s very important that moms—and the people around them—know the signs of a mental health concern. Some signs to look for include:
- Feeling very sad, angry or empty for days
- Not wanting to eat or sleep
- Feeling like you can’t bond with your baby
- Having scary thoughts or feeling like you might hurt yourself or others
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you love, speak up. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength to ask for help. Every mom deserves to feel well and cared for.
Let’s be honest: Moms are superheroes. But even superheroes need support. We need to make sure that every mom knows she’s not alone. We must make it easier to talk about mental health. We must listen without judgment. And we must make sure help is easy to find.Healthy moms mean healthy families. When we take care of mothers, we take care of our whole community.
If you’re a mom who’s struggling, please know this: You are not alone. You are not to blame. And you can get better. Speak up, reach out and know that there are people who care and want to help. Ask your obstetrics care team and see these resources for moms and families.
Resources for patients and families
1. Postpartum Support International (PSI)
PSI offers education, training and resources for professionals working with families during the perinatal period. They also provide a clinician directory, helpline and certification programs.
Helpline: (800) 944-4773 (Text “HELLO” to (800) 944-4773)
This project focuses on maternal mental health support for Black and brown birthing people. They offer culturally competent resources, education and support groups and provide training opportunities for clinicians looking to improve care for underserved populations.
3. MotherToBaby
This organization provides expert, evidence-based information about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Their team also offers live chat and phone consultations.
Helpline: Call or text (866) 626-6847
Resources for clinicians
This is a free psychiatric consultation service for Georgia clinicians caring for pregnant and postpartum patients. They offer provider-to-provider support on screening, diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.
2. Postpartum Support International Professional Resources
This group provides clinician training, consultation and certification in perinatal mental health. They also offer a perinatal psychiatric consultation service.
3. LactMed (Drugs and Lactation Database)
This is a National Institute of Health resource for up-to-date, evidence-based information on medications and their compatibility with breastfeeding.
Find a Wellstar behavioral health specialist near you or find a Wellstar OB/GYN.
*Mom and mothers are used throughout this article. However, I recognize and respect that not all birthing parents identify as female. At Wellstar, we believe in honoring every voice.