Lecture: The (Mental) Balancing Act: Nurturing Mental Health Through the Challenges of Motherhood with FamilyWell

Motherhood is magical, joyful and a gift. It is also overwhelming, exhausting and isolating. For the many women who have to contend with loss and infertility, the struggle begins even earlier. There is also the toll of changing bodies and fluctuating hormones that come with IVF treatments, pregnancy, postpartum, and, subsequently, perimenopause and menopause.

We invite you to a thoughtful discussion on the hard moments and unspoken challenges of motherhood. It could help you or someone you know who may be suffering in silence. Hear from Dr. Jessica Gaulton, CEO and founder of FamilyWell, whose mission is to integrate mental health support into obstetric practice.

Jess, a mother of two who personally experienced postpartum depression, is deeply passionate about supporting families as they transition into parenthood. She is currently a practicing neonatologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/ Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Dr. Gaulton will be joined by Julie Paul, head of psychiatric services, and Carrie Powers, lead therapist, at FamilyWell. Julie is passionate about caring for peripartum individuals with depression and anxiety, birth trauma and PTSD. Carrie has co-led birth-loss and pregnancy-after-loss support groups and is a founding member of New England Perinatal Loss Support Providers Coalition.

Doors open at 7:30 pm and the fireside chat will begin promptly at 8:00 pm followed by a Q&A. Bring a friend ($10 fee for non-members). We will provide beverages, dessert and Kleenex.