The grand opening of the Postpartum Support Center (PPSC), at 4162 Redwood Highway in San Rafael, took place on Nov. 7, attracting many Marin community members. The center initially opened in early July for families in need, but was completely finished at the beginning of November.
The Postpartum Support Center (PPSC) is a nonprofit providing a range of services including support for maternal mental health, peer support services and the Marin Diaper Bank. The Marin Diaper Bank supplies the center through donations of baby and mom essentials for postpartum, maternity and nursing, such as baby clothes, shoes, diapers, wipes, formula and strollers. While the PPSC focuses on maternal mental health, it is available for anyone in need of support.
Ivana Jagodic is the executive director of the center and a certified peer support specialist. As a mother who suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety, she understands the difficulties families can experience.
“We are trying every way we can to help pregnant women, new moms, dads, families and kids have a healthy beginning [while we] follow them in those first years of their life because [there are lots] of unknowns,” Jagodic said.
While the center’s first location opened this year, the organization was founded in 2019 with a website offering support lines, support groups and peer support, inspired by Jagodic’s own struggles to find aid when she needed it.
“I googled everything about postpartum depression and maternal mental health [when I was diagnosed] and I learned there were no resources. There were some support groups, but I was on maternity leave and I could not afford to pay $300 for one. I also couldn’t afford a private therapist or psychiatrist,” Jagodic said.
The lack of free resources in Marin is very common, which can cause more harm and isolation to suffering mothers. Dr. Margot Kirschner PsyD, a clinical psychologist, has worked with pregnant and postpartum women for over 10 years and spoke on the importance of having community support.
“Life is so different and completely disrupted [when becoming a new mother] and it can lead to a lot of isolation and loneliness, which we know, just on its own, leads to mental health challenges. Humans are social creatures and we learn from one another, [so] being connected to other women and the community at large is so important,” Kirschner said.
The PPSC provides an opportunity for people to connect with others with the same experience that might otherwise not be available to them. Magdalena Maguire, the Wellness Center Outreach Specialist at Redwood agrees the PPSC should continue their work.
“The fact that there is a Postpartum Support Center speaks volumes to how it’s a community-wide experience. It’s really amazing to see our community seeing a need and filling it,” Maguire said.
More information on the PPSC and a place to make donations can be found on their website.
