An Introduction to the Roots Perinatal Resource Guide

WRITTEN BY SUZANNE BENDICK

Every year when I sit down to write the introduction to the Roots Perinatal Resource Guide: Resources for Pregnancy to Parenthood (so intentionally created from start to finish and tucked carefully into the pages of this magazine), I feel a deep sense of gratitude and pride. To the many professionals, organizations and community members dedicated to supporting parents in this unique developmental stage, and for everyone who has used this guide on their journey or shared it with a loved one, thank you. For those of you here for the first time, welcome. I am so glad you are here.

This has been a community effort since the beginning, and I don’t just mean this publication (although both are true). We are and always will be social creatures who need one another. There is nothing that can erase the fundamental biological need, especially during such a vulnerable transformation, which lives in all of us. Becoming a parent is a major transition—for 100% of people.

We all need support. Period.

Each one of us comes to the table with our own unique story woven together from many life experiences, including those of trauma, loss, adversity and even how we were parented (or not). This patchwork of our life essentially gives each of us our own unique blueprint for what is needed to support this incredible transformation from individual to parent. In my opinion, everyone’s perinatal journey is as unique as each individual. However, the one piece of the puzzle which is NOT unique and is 100% nonnegotiable is the need for support. We all need it. It’s not just helpful – it’s essential to our survival.

The Roots Guide has evolved so beautifully over the years – both providers and parents look forward to its release each year. It highlights those in our community who have specific training with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, as well as those who have experience working with parents in this stage, reflecting a multifaceted approach to each parent’s individual wellness. The Guide not only represents a commitment to addressing the shifting perinatal mental health landscape on a community level, but it breaks down the stigma and normalizes reaching out for help for all families in this unique developmental stage.

Most importantly, this guide is a connection point — a conversation starter or even a soft place to land, offering a new mom or dad words of compassion as they embark on this incredible journey.

At Roots, we always say there is not a onesize-fits-all approach to this journey and it feels helpful to repeat, for those in the back, everyone needs support. You are worth being cared for during this time in life, no matter what brought you on this journey. I’m not suggesting that, because this guide exists, it will be easy for you or you will find everything you need in its pages – rather, I hope you know you are not alone in this. There is support for you and your family right here in our community. If you are not seeing what you are looking for or have no idea where to begin, please reach out to Roots. We can help connect you to the support you need. Check out the centerfold for all the incredible Roots offerings!

As always, be gentle on yourself, knowing you are not alone and are worthy of the love and support that human parents need for survival.

Read the Roots Guide here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/bf54c325-baa6-4a8a-9f2c-1f0bee5cbb86

Suzanne Bendick is the Founder and current Executive Director at Roots Family Collaborative. She wears a lot of different hats in her work as she quietly nurtures, encourages and assists families as they transition from pregnancy to parenthood. When she’s not listening to another mother tell her story or dreaming of a future program idea, you can find Suzanne breathing in some fresh air on the trails around town.