Mental Health
We are here to help you feel better
Mental health is part of everyone’s overall well-being, particularly in young adults, parents, and pregnant teens. According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in five young adults in the US experiences a mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. These conditions can significantly impact a young person’s daily life, including their ability to manage school, work, relationships, and parenting. Recognizing the signs of mental health issues and seeking professional help is important. At Sunnyside Up Pregnancy Services, we provide resources and support to help young parents and pregnant teens manage their mental health and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Did you know...
“Allowing yourself to be attentive to your postpartum mental and/or emotional vulnerability is one of the most selfless and courageous acts that a mother can make for herself and her child(ren). Honoring the significantly impactful and profound changes that you and your body have experienced can have tremendously beneficial short and long-term outcomes. Including, but not limited to, authentic relationship building with your newborn(s) and a more positive parenting experience.” – Ashley Shelley, LPC-MHSP
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED BY
Ashley Shelley, LPC-MHSP
Founder of Melanin and Mindfulness, LLC., is a licensed private practice therapist in Nashville, TN
Ashley works with adult clients as well as early childhood ages 3-9 years old. She works to consistently provide quality and effective therapeutic services that encourage mindful living, meaningful, and sustainably progressive outcomes. Promoting engagement in mental health practices within minority communities has been one of her primary focuses. Ashley is also a certified yoga instructor and gifted lightseer/tarot reader. Private yoga, guided meditation, and tarot sessions are a few of her additional therapeutic offerings. Along with being a therapist, she enjoys community engagement, blogging, hanging with friends, and traveling.
Support Group Details
Location: The Hope Clinic for Women, 1810 Hayes St.
Time: Mondays 5 -7 pm
June 12th:Topic: What about your friends? Talking to your friends about your pregnancy
June 26th:Topic: How to talk to your parents about your pregnancy
July 10th Topic: How to navigate your emotions
July 26th Topic: Co-Parenting with your partner
This is a co-ed partner support group for youth ages 13 to 21 expecting a baby or has a young child.
Know the Signs
Signs of Depression
The signs of depression can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms may include feeling sad, hopeless, or empty, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, fatigue, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, irritability, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It’s important to note that depression is a serious mental health condition and if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help.
Signs of Anxiety
Anxiety can manifest itself in different ways for different people. Some common signs of anxiety include excessive worrying, restlessness or feeling on edge, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and avoiding certain situations or activities due to fear or worry. Physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and gastrointestinal issues can also be signs of anxiety. It is important to note that experiencing some anxiety is normal, but if it is persistent and interferes with daily activities and relationships, seeking professional help may be beneficial.
Signs of Psychosis
- Hallucinations: seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.
- Delusions: believing in things that are not true, such as thinking that someone is trying to harm them.
- Disorganized speech or behavior: speaking in a way that is difficult to understand or acting unusually or unpredictably.
- Withdrawal: avoiding friends and family, and becoming socially isolated.
- Mood changes: feeling irritable, agitated, or anxious for no apparent reason.
- Difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating: having trouble focusing on tasks or processing information.
Mental Health Services we provide
- 1-2 prenatal visits in your home. Your doula will discuss your desires and expectations for your birth, comfort measures, exercises to prepare you for birth, and other ways to prepare for birth.
- Assistance with creating your birth vision/plan. We help you figure out important decisions about your birth so that you know all of the options available.
- Phone and email support during pregnancy
- Other resources and referrals are provided as needed to help provide full support
- 24-hour on-call assistance beginning at 38 weeks and continuing until your birth (including phone support during early labor).
- Continuous labor support starts in active labor and continues until 1-2 hours after your birth.
- Breastfeeding support immediately after your birth.
- One postpartum visit (usually a week or two after your birth) where you & your doula will talk through your birth, and provide additional resources and any questions you may have.
We aim to Educate, Empower and Support our Youth