09/15/2023
"In the Latin American population, the taboo against mental illness is a limitation for seeking timely care and qualified professionals. If mental illness per se is a big taboo, the presence of mental illness in pregnant or postpartum women is even more so."
This is what Alina Uribe shares when talking about the challenges she faces in her professional practice as a physician and psychiatrist in her country Colombia, where she helps many women in their process of healing and redefining childbirth, motherhood and their own stories.
"I think it is essential to break these beliefs, the prevalence of postpartum depression is higher than that of breast cancer, why don't we have the same policies to take care of ourselves, seek qualified professional help and support our families during this journey?", asks Alina when observing the reality in much of Latin America.
With over 8 years of work experience in perinatal mental health, Alina began volunteering with PSI Virginia in 2015 while living in Washington D.C. When it was time to return home, Alina mobilized all forces with the help of PSI, to become PSI's first international coordinator for Colombia.
From her own childbirth experience 5 years ago, Alina started a long journey of self-knowledge, healing and therapy, redefining a traumatic birth experience, with physical and emotional scars that "painted" her first motherhood experience.
"I managed to bring meaning and purpose to this story, becoming a mother for the second time last year. And as a survivor I knew I wanted to offer my knowledge and experience to serve others."
Alina's self-care routine includes early morning exercise, a running session and physical training, "these and a good coffee are my shot of energy to start the day." She also turns to mindfulness exercises and mindful visualization resources, a whole food diet and sharing art spaces with her children when she can.
Thank you for the work you do in your community, Alina. Thank you for your years of volunteering at PSI supporting mothers who need you.
Connect with Alina:
mentefertil.couribe
