As we witness the devastating violence in Israel and Gaza, the Seleni Institute acknowledges, in horror and with deep sadness, the very real tragedies impacting so many children, women, families, and civilians. We at Seleni recognize the emotional impact of exposure to traumatic stories and experiences, and the importance of building resilience for ourselves and our children to cope here at home.

These recent developments bring an increased focus on caring for ourselves so that we can better care for others amidst these difficult times and changing seasons. With National Depression Screening Day (October 5), World Mental Health Day (October 10), and National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, there are ample reminders to slow down, check in, and reach out to a professional to support your mental well-being when needed.

We’ve included some resources we hope you find useful to navigate the upcoming weeks.

We wish you strength and are always here to support you.

Trauma and Resilience Resources

Acts of terror are purposefully designed to scare people and make them fearful for the safety of their community and their loved ones. When these events occur, it is common to feel anxious and concerned about the future. The American Psychological Association has tips for building resilience to manage indirect exposure to terror.
Parents can help scared kids process grief and fear in a healthy way. The Child Mind Institute has strategies for helping kids cope with frightening news.

October Insights

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time of remembrance that culminates with events around the country on October 15. It is a time to honor, share, and commemorate our losses.

If you're looking for a place to start, check out these articles:

Podcast: America's Mental Health Crisis

This episode from the Wall Street Journal speaks with two mothers about their experience postpartum and to reporter Anna Mutoh about the FDA’s approval of a Zuronalone to help fight postpartum depression.

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act Passes

One out of 75 U.S. births tragically results in stillbirths — that's nearly 21,000 stillbirths a year. And a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates lists the United States as 183rd out of 195 countries.

This unanimously-passed Act clarifies that stillbirth prevention activities and research are an allowable use of Social Security Act funds. This clarification will support stillbirth prevention activities including more accessible and comprehensive screening, helping to save the lives of mothers and babies.

In Review: Hispanic Heritage Month

More than 1 in 3 Hispanic parents report experiencing a mental health disorder at some point in their life. Here's top parental mental health news from the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month:

Mercy University has received a new federal grant to increase the research on maternal mental health in an effort to create practical community solutions for Hispanic mothers. The grant will fund the new Hispanic Mothers of New York Research Training Center.
The American Medical Association called out alarming maternal mortality outcomes among Hispanic patients and advocates for coordinated care post-partum.
The Health Affairs Podcast featured an episode on Maternal Health and Health Equity.
Marquette University professors Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez, Lisa Edwards, and Kavitha Venkateswaran were awarded a grant from the Medical College of Wisconsin to develop and implement intervention practices for perinatal mental health.
Postpartum Support International's Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color program bridges the gap in perinatal mental health support services by expanding its reach to the LatinX and Spanish-speaking community with their Alliance Spanish & Cultural Program.

Current Offers

Save 20% on Courses Until October 31st

In continued celebration of World Mental Health Day, Seleni is offering 20% off our entire library of accredited professional training courses through October 31st with code OCTOBER20.

Explore Training Savings

Free Lesson for Healthcare Professionals: Major Depressive Disorder

Learn to identify symptoms and utilize best practices for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in the perinatal timeframe. This lesson is free excerpt from Seleni's signature online course, the Maternal Mental Health Intensive: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.

Enroll Here

Behind the Scenes

Sneak Peek:

Watch Dr. Babalola Jinadu introduce our latest course. "Complex Conversations in Healthcare: Communicating Effectively with Patients and Families" will be an invaluable tool for healthcare professionals all entry points of care.

Stay tuned for more updates and our official launch date!

Thank you for your continued support of maternal & family mental wellbeing!

Connect with us @selenidotorg, request an appointment, or learn more about training.

With care,

Seleni Institute

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