You are not alone
All mothers, fathers, and families deserve support during pregnancy and parenthood.
Get Help
If you, or a loved one, is suffering with perinatal mood disorders, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you are searching for a therapist within your insurance network, a medication prescriber knowledgeable in prescribing during pregnancy and lactation, or looking for a local support group, we are here to help.
Find a PSI Coordinator
Contact one of our PSI Georgia Support Coordinators, who will help guide you through the process of finding a professional near you with expertise and experience.
North Georgia
Justine Piepgrass
Northern Georgia: Union, Towns, Rabun, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Stephens, Hart, Franklin, Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson, Madison, Elbert, Oglethorpe, Clarke, Oconee, Barrow, Walton Counties
503-396-3677 TEXT OR CALL
justine.psicoordinator@gmail.com
Shannon Weist
Northern Georgia: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Gordon, Chattooga, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Paulding, Polk, Cobb
678-310-9216 TEXT OR CALL
Shannon.PSICoordinator@gmail.com
Heather Hastie
Athens Area: Oglethorpe, Madison, Clarke, Greene, Morgan, Oconee & Jackson Counties
706-424-3677 TEXT OR CALL
heatherhastie@gmail.com
If your area is not listed, please contact:
Laura Baldwin
Statewide
770-609-7261 TEXT OR CALL
laurabaldwinpsi@gmail.com
PSI is seeking Coordinators to help provide information, support and local resource referrals to those struggling in Georgia. If you are interested in this volunteer role, please reach out to Melissa Bentley at coordinators@postpartum.net.
Metro Atlanta
Laura Baldwin
Atlanta and Metropolitan Area
770-609-7261 TEXT OR CALL
laurabaldwinpsi@gmail.com
DeShelle Burrowes
South of Atlanta: Fayette, Coweta, Henry, Clayton, South Fulton, Rockdale and Butts Counties
470-771-2620 TEXT OR CALL
DeShelle.psi@gmail.com
Cassie Owens
North of Atlanta: Dunwoody/Perimeter area
404-493-2112 TEXT OR CALL
cassieowensLPC@gmail.com
Sylvia Mead
West of Atlanta: Carroll County
770-405-9509 TEXT OR CALL
sylviampsi@gmail.com
PSI is seeking Coordinators to help provide information, support and local resource referrals to those struggling in Georgia. If you are interested in this volunteer role, please reach out to Melissa Bentley at coordinators@postpartum.net.
Central/Southwest Georgia
Keisha Wells
Central-West Georgia: Muscogee (including Fort Benning), Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, and Russell Counties
762-822-7856 TEXT OR CALL
keishawells.psi@gmail.com
Elizabeth A. Nicholson
Southwest Georgia
404-550-3015 TEXT OR CALL
Elizabeth@kout.com
If your area is not listed, please contact:
Laura Baldwin
Statewide
770-609-7261 TEXT OR CALL
laurabaldwinpsi@gmail.com
PSI is seeking Coordinators to help provide information, support and local resource referrals to those struggling in Georgia. If you are interested in this volunteer role, please reach out to Melissa Bentley at coordinators@postpartum.net.
Southeast Georgia/Savannah
Bridget Cross
Greater Savannah Area: Chatham, Effingham, Bryan Counties
912-495-8549 TEXT OR CALL
bridget@bridgetcrossLCSW.com
Marissa Grace
Greater Savannah Area
912-662-6013 TEXT OR CALL
marissag.psicoordinator@gmail.com
If your area is not listed, please contact
Laura Baldwin
Statewide
770-609-7261 TEXT OR CALL
laurabaldwinpsi@gmail.com
PSI is seeking Coordinators to help provide information, support and local resource referrals to those struggling in Georgia. If you are interested in this volunteer role, please reach out to Melissa Bentley at coordinators@postpartum.net.
Join a Support Group
PSI GA has a wide offering of online support group meetings. Led by trained facilitators (moms or therapists) our FREE support groups will connect you with other parents and provide helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, Baby Blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, our groups are here for you. Meetings held daytime & evening, weekdays and weekends.
Other PSI Resources
We do not offer crisis management services. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. For additional safety information, call the toll-free Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Watch Our 2021 Black Maternal Mental Health Summit
Get Involved
Want to make a difference?
Join us in our work to improve maternal mental health in Georgia! Make a tax-deductible donation today.
PSI-GA relies on members and contributions from the community to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of maternal mental health issues related to childbearing in Georgia.
Your donations help to:
- Promote awareness of maternal mental health in GA
- Increase training and education of local professionals
- Provide direct support to local moms and families
You may also wish to join PSI for full membership benefits. Contact us if you have any questions about membership. All memberships are tax-deductible.
Volunteer
Climb out of the Darkness
Thank you for helping us “Reach the Top” on our Climb Out of the Darkness!
7 Georgia Teams raised $10,000 for Moms in Georgia!
We could not have done any of this without support from our generous sponsors Amerigroup and Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, GA and our dedicated supporters.
You can still contribute to our Climb effort until October 12, 2021!
Every dollar you give goes to support mental health training and programs for new mothers and families in Georgia. Click here to donate.
For Professionals
PSI Provider Directory
Postpartum Support International offers an online directory of qualified perinatal mental health professionals. Join the registry and share your listing as a mental health provider, a healthcare provider, childbirth professional, or support group. As a specialized provider, you can tailor your directory listing to reach out to potential clients in your area. Keep your profile up-to-date with practice announcements, new programs and groups, and more!
Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line
The PSI Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line is a service provided for medical professionals who have questions about the mental health care related to pregnant and postpartum patients and pre-conception planning. It is staffed by reproductive psychiatrists who are members of PSI and specialists in the treatment of perinatal mental health disorders. The service is free and available by appointment. Call 800-944-4773, ext 4 and we will match you with an appointment. We will respond to your request within one business day. This service is available for medical providers only.
Training Sessions
PSI-GA now offers Perinatal Mental Health trainings to providers who work with pregnant and postpartum women. Choose from 3 presentations:
- FREE one hour lunch n’ learn training on best practices for screening and referring your patients for perinatal mental health challenges.
- Two hour Perinatal Mental Health Signs & Symptoms Presentation ($375): covers how to recognize and identify signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
- One Day Advanced Clinical Skills Training (price upon request): teaches advanced clinical skills for working with perinatal women.
Frontline Provider, Certificate & Webinar Trainings
If you are a therapist, OB/GYN, pediatrician, midwife, or other professional who works with pregnant women, new mothers, and their families, consider increasing your professional knowledge and awareness.
Downloadable Materials
Help patients and families learn more about perinatal mental health. Use these handouts and posters in your facility. Click on each link to download and print. If you don’t have a color printer, these files can be used to order from your favorite printer. Or, you may order pre-printed copies of some of our materials for your organization, by requesting through our online request form. Orders are free, but optional donations are appreciated.
About Us
The mission of Postpartum Support International, Georgia Chapter (PSI-GA) is to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of maternal mental health issues related to childbearing in Georgia.
On a local level, it is the vision of PSI-GA that every woman and family throughout the state will have access to information, social support, and informed professional care to deal with mental health issues related to childbearing.
PSI-GA is an all-volunteer organization and a State Chapter of Postpartum Support International, a 501(c)(3) organization. The Tax ID number of Postpartum Support International and PSI-GA is 77-0196208.
Connect with PSI-GA:
Meet our Board of Directors
Shantrice Jones, MPH, CPH
President, DPH Liaison
- Public Health Professional, Researcher, Mom
- Project Manager of Community Engagement, Emory Centers for Training and Technical Assistance
“I am deeply honored to utilize my public health background and passion for helping families struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety. I am especially proud of our extensive work training and building the capacity of health care professionals to recognize the symptoms, screen, and diagnose so that families can get the help they need. The work we are doing through PSI-GA is literally changing lives — and it is extraordinary!”
Shontel Cargill, MS, LMFT
Board President-Elect
- Mom of an Angel, Survivor, Advocate
- Perinatal Mental Health Professional Regional Clinic Director, Thriveworks
“I humbly serve on the PSI-GA Board of Directors because I have a lifelong commitment of being a catalyst for change in maternal mental health as a survivor, advocate, and perinatal mental health professional. After experiencing the loss of my daughter, I turned my pain into passion and purpose to help mothers and families who have experienced loss, PMADs, birth trauma, infertlity, and are impacted by maternal mortality in the state of Georgia.”
Mica Whitfield, LMSW
Vice-President, Advocacy & Government Relations Liaison
- Mom, Advocate, Survivor
- State Director, 9to5 Georgia
“I serve on the PSI-GA board because I want to make sure no one suffers in silence. My board service is for every woman that felt alone in her postpartum journey without the support and resources she needed to thrive.”
Paige L. Rohe, MPH
Vice President-Elect, Climb Out of the Darkness Co-Lead
- Mommy, Birth Safety Champion, Mover and Shaker
- Director of Communications, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
“After I had my daughter, I struggled with birth trauma based on our delivery experience, and Georgia PSI’s resources helped me to understand that I wasn’t alone, and that there were specialized resources to help me. I am very eager and grateful for the opportunity to give back to other mothers and birthing parents who need support, nurturing, and healing for their mental health after childbirth.”
Colin Gatewood
Treasurer & PSI Liaison
- Dad, thinker, eater
- Director of Asset/Liability Management, FHLBank Atlanta
“I joined the PSI board to help bring focus and attention to the issues surrounding maternal mental health in Georgia, which consistently ranks near the bottom of all national measures related to care and support of new and expectant mothers.”
Amanda Gorman
Treasurer-Elect, Board Development and Recruitment
amanda@findingyourvillagepod.com
- Mom, Wife, Survivor, Writer, Advocate
- Birth Educator and Podcast Host, Finding your Village
“I am thankful and honored to have the opportunity to be of service to birthing people and their families in Georgia. As a survivor of postpartum depression and anxiety, I know personally that the work that PSI GA does saves lives. I also acknowledge and lament that there is a large disparity in infant and maternal mortality rates and the rates of perinatal mood disorders affecting the BIPOC community, particularly in Georgia. I feel strongly about advocating for structural, institutional and personal changes to reduce those disparities and to save the lives of birthing people and children in our state.”
Clare Schexnyder
Secretary & Constituent Services
- Mom, Entrepreneur, Survivor, Community Organizer
- Founder and CEO, Oh Baby! Fitness
“Exercise, community and counseling saved my life when I had postpartum depression; I’m working with PSI GA to ensure all new and expectant Moms have access to the help and support they need.”
Latha Nair-Erickson
Secretary-Elect, Climb Out of the Darkness Co-Lead
- Relationship Cultivator, Mom, Advocate
- Network Production Leader | Communications Specialist
“I am very excited to learn and grow in this role on the PSI-GA Board. Mental health is a real stigma in the Asian community and getting help is not an easy task. I hope to be an advocate and let women know there is support for women who feel isolated.”
Elise Blasingame
Corporate Support & Partnerships
- Advocate, Partner, Dog Mom
- Doctoral Student, School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia. Former Executive Director at HMHBGA.
“I look forward to working with the Board and volunteers of PSI to make a Georgia where there’s no stigma for women living with PMADs and where they can access the services and resources they need.”
Laytrina Clemons-Brown, MSN, RN
Scholarship Coordinator
Laytrina.Clemons-Brown@northside.com
- Mom, Wife, Family Survivor of Losses, Advocate, Nurse
- Nurse Manager in Women’s Services
“It is humbling to be a part of a community of leaders that puts advocacy, for those who cannot always stand for themselves, first. To take care of others is integral to our survival as humans.”
Bridget Cross, LCSW, PMH-C
PSI State Coordinator Liaison
- Clinical Social Worker, Advocate, Mom
- Psychotherapist in private practice in Savannah, GA
“PSI has been a lifeline to me both personally and professionally since I became a mom. I became a maternal mental health clinician to offer that support outward in the Savannah community, where moms and families struggle profoundly. I’m so honored to join the PSI-GA board and to advocate for our coastal Georgia mamas and for improved maternal health across the state.”
Angela Deportage, MSN-ED, BSN, RN
Peer Support Group Lead
- Professional Nurse, Educator, Advocate, Mentor, Author, Wife & Mother
- Clinical Specialty Educator, Women’s Services, Eastside Medical Center/ Tristar Division
“Over my many years in nursing, I have seen the devastating effects health inequities play on a community’s mental and physical health. As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I have seen how those issues directly affect prenatal and postpartum health. I want to be an advocate & mentor for those communities.”
Kris Favers, Ed.S
Community Outreach & Events Lead
- Community Advocate for Postpartum
- Marketing Coordinator for Amerigroup Community Care serving families who qualify for Medicaid in the State of Georgia, Member of Atlanta Healthy Start Consortium’s strategy team.
“My reason for serving on the board is to be a resource for moms with postpartum. I want to be able to collaborate with other agencies to bring a wealth of resources to moms and their families.”
Ashley S. Lingerfelt, MS, LPC, PMH-C
Mental Health Provider Liaison
- Mother, Clinician, Advocate
- Clinical Director, Playtime Therapy of Georgia, LLC
“Advocating for better care for birthing families is a necessity. By bringing awareness to the intersection of infant and perinatal mental health, we can change the futures of families within our state. I’m honored to be a part of an organization that puts families first from the very beginning.”
Keisha Reaves
Training Coordinator
- Entrepreneur, Mom, Runner
- Clinical Director & Owner of Push Thru Therapy
“Black maternal mental health is a huge passion of mine and I wanted to be a part of an organization whose mission is to educate our community about the postpartum experience for mothers. PSI does incredible work to help the entire family and also connect them with resources. I believe in the work that PSI does and I’m excited to be a part to assist in driving the mission of helping mothers.”
Jose Rodríguez, MD, MBA, FAAP
Provider & Hospital Liaison
- Wellstar Pediatrician/Asthma Champion
- Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at Medical College of Georgia, Adjunct at Morehouse School of Medicine
- Faculty Graduate Medical Education at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
- Faculty American Academy of Pediatrics Substance Use ECHO Project
“All children need available parents in all sense of the word, especially the first 1000 days of life when children are most sensitive and parents are at most risk”
Jennifer Rutledge Pettie, JD, MPH (ON LEAVE)
jennifer.rutledge.jd.mph@gmail.com
- Legal epidemiologist, Associate Vice Chancellor for Healthcare Policy with the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia
“As a public health professional, I appreciate that maternal health and mental health are very much linked to morbidity and mortality. For this reason, I am personally committed to improving access to care to women in need – in spite of socioeconomic factors and challenges that too often act as barriers.”
Angie Seech, PhD
Grants and Foundation Support Lead
- Mother, Brain Enthusiast, Mental Health Advocate, Educator
- Owner and Educator at Mommy Brain EDU and Full-Time Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
“I am passionate about maternal mental health and helping individuals to understand the changes that take place in the brain during and after pregnancy. Sometimes, these changes, along with the often-turbulent transition to motherhood, lead to PMADS. I am honored and excited to serve on this board with other passionate and talented individuals to work towards a community where families are supported during this time.”
Shlonda B Smith, IBCLC
Volunteer Coordinator
- Wife, Mom, Survivor, Advocate
- State Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Coordinator
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to represent, serve, and advocate for the many families of Georgia impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders with PSI-GA. With our collective voices, expertise, and networks, I have high expectations that we can contribute to the improved well-being of Georgia’s families.”
Contact Us
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact us using the form below and we’ll be in touch soon.
We want you to know you are not alone and you are not to blame. Help is available. You will get better.
Helpline: 1.800.944.4773
Text in English: 800-944-4773 | Text en Español: 971-203-7773
