I'm Audrey Lem, and I am pursuing my doctoral degree in occupational therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. I'm thrilled to collaborate with Werkitmoms, offering support, services, and advocacy for perinatal and postpartum mothers. My focus lies in integrating occupational therapy into maternal health and maternal mental health, driven by a deep passion for this emerging field.
Occupational therapy (OT) uses regular activities, like cooking or getting dressed, to help people who may have trouble with physical, mental, or emotional challenges. An occupational therapist (OT) is someone who helps people learn or relearn how to do everyday tasks when they're facing changes in their abilities.
I'm excited to announce that I've taken on the new Postpartum Community Coordinator role. My focus during this time will be on prioritizing services related to maternal mental health. Whether you're a first-time mom or navigating the postpartum period, I'm here to offer support through a program I'm launching at Werkitmoms called "Empower Moms: Enhancing Well-being Through Occupation."
Overview of Program
Six program modules, 2x per week at Werkitmoms.
Each session will be 45 minutes long.
Perinatal mothers, first-time mothers, and postpartum women with child or children ages 0-5
Sessions
Understanding Maternal Mental Health and Occupational Therapy
Coping Strategies for Managing Maternal Mental Health
Daily Scheduling and Time Management.
Mindfulness Techniques for Stress Reduction
Physical Exercises and Movement for Perinatal and Postpartum Women
Building Social Support and Community Connections
This program is designed to help moms feel more confident and balanced during and after pregnancy. It's divided into six parts, each focusing on different aspects of well-being. We start with learning about mental health and how activities can help. Then, we cover coping strategies, managing your daily routine, mindfulness, exercises tailored for new moms, and finding support from others. The program looks at everything—how you feel, your relationships, and your surroundings—to help you feel your best while caring for your baby.
Overall Goal
Restoring occupational balance and healthy role transition for first-time mothers, perinatal women, and postpartum women with child/children ages 0-5.
Short-Term Goal
Understanding and knowledge of maternal mental health.
Establishing techniques and skills to reduce symptoms of maternal mental health disorders.
Establishing a sense of control and confidence from poor role transition
Building a network and increasing social support from the new community.
Long-Term Goals:
Improvement in occupational balance
Improvement in role transition
Reducing symptoms of maternal mental health disorders
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