51 | From NICU Mom to Mental Health Advocate with Jacquesta Michel
EPISODE 51
In this episode, we sit down with Jacquesta Michel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in South Florida, whose own NICU experience became the catalyst for a powerful professional pivot.
Jacquesta shares her personal journey through the NICU, the emotional weight of coming home, and why community support is so critical in those early days after discharge. Drawing from her clinical expertise in maternal mental health, birth trauma, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, she walks us through what a postpartum plan actually is — and why every NICU family should have one. Whether you're freshly home from the NICU or still carrying wounds from an experience years ago, this conversation is full of honest insight and practical encouragement.
Quick Notes from the Episode:
The NICU experience doesn't end at discharge. The emotional journey continues at home, and it's okay (and important) to acknowledge that.
You don't have to navigate this alone. Leaning into community, whether that's friends, family, or a peer support network, can make an enormous difference in your recovery and wellbeing.
Create a postpartum plan. This was new to us, but just like a birth plan, a postpartum plan helps you think ahead about your support needs, mental health check-ins, and who you'll call when things feel hard.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are common after a NICU stay… and they are treatable. Birth trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief are real clinical experiences, not signs of weakness.
Help is available and closer than you think. There are trained providers, warm lines, and peer mentors specifically for NICU families.
Jacquesta’s NICU Grad Guide - Resources Mentioned:
Jacquesta Michel, LCSW - jmichellcsw.com
Postpartum Support International - Provider directory, resources, and their free Helpline/Warm Line
Warmline: 1-800-944-4773
Graham's Foundation Peer Mentor Program - Connect with a mentor who has lived the NICU experience:grahamsfoundation.org/peer-mentors
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The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.