Seleni Spotlight: Lalaina Auriel Ny Andriantsoa, Spring Intern

March 2024 - We are thrilled to welcome Lalaina Auriel Ny Andriantsoa as our spring intern through the Libra Group Internship Program. We sat down with Lalaina for a Q&A.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Lalaina!

I'm from Madagascar, but I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree in Rwanda, majoring in International Business and Trade. I'm currently in my final year and I cannot wait to graduate! 

I would say that I’m a creative, ambitious, and hard-working person who is always finding new pathways to open.

I’m also someone who loves challenges. While I can get stressed easily and frequently, I've learned a lot from the obstacles I've overcome, and those experiences have helped me evolve both personally and professionally. I guess you could say that’s why I like being constantly challenged.

Growing up, I fell in love with basketball, which has changed the course of my life in so many ways. I believe that sport is more than just a physical activity; in fact, it can be used to positively impact mental health and shape one's mindset and personality. That’s why my mission is to leverage the power of sports to create a positive impact around me and demonstrate how sports can change one's life, just as it did mine.

What excites you most about being part of the Seleni family?

When I first learned during my internship interview that I might be placed with the Seleni Institute, I was super excited. Mental health holds great importance to me, and gaining experience with an organization that positively impacts many lives like Seleni truly excited me. I was especially thrilled that I would also play a role in changing people's lives through their work. Being at Seleni means being part of a compassionate, supportive, and understanding family. I will forever be thankful for this opportunity and for joining such a fantastic team.

How do you practice self-care?

Basketball is my therapy. Whenever I have hard times, miss home, or have a lot in mind, the court is my go-to place. I feel so free and at peace when I play (but not every time; it can also stress me, especially when I lose). I also find myself journaling a lot to clear my mind. I’m a big overthinker, so that method has been very helpful. 

What do you like to do in your free time?

During my free time, I love to spend time with my family and friends, and I enjoy cooking and dancing. Additionally, I love traveling, discovering new places, and capturing moments through pictures. You'll likely find me doing one of these activities when I'm not around the court or watching games.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

I've received a lot of good advice, but I frequently remind myself of this one, because many times I still struggle to appreciate my own effort and tend to put a lot of pressure on myself:

"You become what you think and say. Therefore, be mindful of how you train your mind and the words you speak to yourself. It shapes your reality."

What’s a quote that you carry with you to uplift yourself?

I have this quote painted on the wall of my room back home, and it has become my life motto ever since: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” - Norman Vincent Peale

Lalaina Auriel Ny Andriantsoa, Spring Intern

Seleni Spotlight: Paula Rubio, Spring Intern

March 2024 - We are thrilled to welcome Paula Rubio as our spring intern through the Libra Group Internship Program. We sat down with Paula for a Q&A.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Paula!

I am from Colombia, currently pursuing a business degree with a minor in business law at La Universidad de los Andes. I am thrilled that I will be graduating in October! I would describe myself as a curious, thoughtful, and detail-oriented person. I have always been interested in the arts, specifically dance, which is a passion that I learned to love while I was growing up. Dancing for me was an escape when I was feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Even though I don't dance as much as I used to, I know that it’s always a safe space for me.

Another passion of mine is travel. My dream is to travel all around the world and learn from new cultures. That’s why I decided to have my exchange in Slovene; it was not only an opportunity for me to grow as a person, but also to visit as many countries as I could.

What excites you most about being part of the Seleni family?

For me, mental health has always been an important topic, and I’m glad that more resources are being dedicated towards mental health and wellness. I have always considered myself an anxious person, and even though I have learned to control this during the last few years, I have always known the importance of anxiety and how it can affect your mental health.

The Seleni Institute is working to destigmatize and transform the care landscape of maternal and family mental health, and this is one of the main reasons why I enjoy interning with Seleni. I always wanted to be part of a company that made an impact in people's lives, and working with Seleni has allowed me to do just that.

How do you practice self-care?

I practice self-care by balancing everything in my life. I always try to have time to do the things that I enjoy doing to prevent becoming overwhelmed during the day. I try to go to the gym at least five times per week to put my thoughts into something different, speak constantly with my family, and spend time with my friends.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy visiting places that I have never been to, watching movies with my friends, and talking with my family. I also really enjoy just going out to move a little, like going to the gym or just going on a walk, because it helps me clear my mind.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Be patient and persistent. Life is not so much what you accomplish, but what you overcome.

What’s a quote that you carry with you to uplift yourself?

“You do not find the happy life. You make it.” — Camilla Eyring Kimball

Paula Rubio, Spring Intern

November Newsletter: Grief During the Holidays, Seleni Updates, and More

Welcome to November!

As the festive season begins, we're excited to connect with loved ones and enjoy special activities, but we are also reminded that it can be a difficult time to work through grief, loss, or anxiety. 

It is important to slow down, connect with your needs, and make space to process complex emotions that may arise during the holiday season. Some helpful questions to ask yourself may be:

• Is this tradition draining or energizing?

• What parts of my to-do list are self-imposed?

• How am I making time and space for myself today?

• How can I ask for help today?

• What does this holiday mean to me personally?

• What would help me be more present today/this week/this month?

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For helpful resources to cope with holiday stress, top maternal mental health news, and exciting updates from the Seleni Institute, check out our November newsletter, and if you’re not subscribed, sign up today!

October Updates from Seleni

Our October Newsletter features resources for processing traumatizing news, a Hispanic Heritage Month news roundup, two great podcasts, and a sneak peek at our latest training!

Are you subscribed? Drop us a note on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what topics we should cover next month!

A Trail from Education to Impact with the Seleni Institute’s Black Perinatal Mental Health Training

July 31, 2023 –  The Seleni Institute has partnered with kate spade new york to address and increase awareness of maternal mental health for Black birthing individuals. A champion for the mental well-being of women in underserved communities, kate spade new york’s support to Seleni has helped to foster inclusivity in mental health care through continuing education for professionals. 

Over the past decade, in the course of advancing Seleni’s mission to treat, train, support, and advocate for improvement in the emotional health of individuals and families during the family-building period, we have encountered stark disparities in shared knowledge and specialized resources on perinatal mental health in BIPOC communities.  

At 39.9% per 100,000 live births, Black women have disproportionately higher pregnancy-related mortality rates, compared to the national average of 28.9%, and 14.1% for White women, as reported by the CDC. Black women also have a higher risk factor for severe maternal morbidity (SMM), which is 50 to 100 times more common than maternal death.

Unpacking these disparities, the Kaiser Family Foundation highlights gaps in health insurance coverage and access to care, as well as wider social and economic factors, systemic racism and discrimination at the root. Such socioeconomic and structural conditions typically contribute to prevalent chronic stressors often associated with increased incidences of preterm birth, predominantly higher among Black women and women from lower socioeconomic environments. Combined, these underscore an estimation from the Anxiety & Depression Association of America that the risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) among Black birthing individuals in the U.S. is double the national average.

Knowing these contextual underpinnings of poor maternal and infant health outcomes for Black families in the U.S., Seleni developed and launched the Black Perinatal Mental Health (BPMH) training, sponsored by kate spade new york. Through their grant, Seleni has successfully offered 200 scholarships to mental health professionals and students working with Black birthing individuals and families.

Launched on Maternal Health Awareness Day in January 2023, the 6-credit, CE-accredited clinical training is designed to help mental health clinicians, birth workers, medical providers, and other professionals better support the mental health care and birthing outcomes of Black birthing individuals and families. It is led by Dr. Marissa Long (MAOB, PsyD), founder of ARC Counseling & Wellness with a specialty in reproductive psychology and Black perinatal mental health. Now at the mid-year mark since its launch, we are looking back and tracing the trail of value and progress for the communities of clinicians, social workers and other professionals we have reached so far through the training.

Our scholarship recipients reside across the US and internationally with most representation in New York, California, Texas, and Illinois. In addition, our training is purchased across the globe. Scholarship recipients who have already completed their training have achieved a 100% pass rate on the final exam.

Our practicing scholars self-report an average clinical load of 20 clients per week, highlighting the potential of these scholarships to reach and impact up to 4,000 individuals per week. With 1 in 5 women experiencing perinatal mental health conditions according to the WHO, such a ripple effect of continuing education to meet patient needs along the broad spectrum of care goes a long way. 

Before completing the BPMH training, our trainees self-reported "moderate" levels of proficiency working with Black birthing individuals, and "moderate" levels of confidence in their abilities to deliver high-quality support to this population. Following the training, more than 80% self-reported an increase to "very" proficient and "very" confident.  

One of the training participants, Dr. Karen Sheffield-Abdullah (Ph.D., MSN, CNM, FACNM), a certified Nurse-Midwife, Mindfulness Instructor, founder of Dr. Karen, LLC and BRAVE Company, LLC, and Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, came across the BPMH training through LinkedIn and was drawn to the fact that the training aims to equip clinicians to provide culturally sensitive, respectful and mindful care. Addressing her training experience, she says, “I admired the approach of setting the background with statistics on birth equity, the history of PMADs in the Black community, historical experiences, physiology and epigenetics. I also found it really valuable that the training addressed grief and loss.”

Following the training, Dr. Sheffield-Abdullah adds that she applies all aspects of the BPMH training in her day-to-day work in stress and anxiety research, specifically for Black, perinatal individuals. She took away practical tips on how to initiate care, how to approach referrals, as well as helpful resources for amplifying cultural humility, grounded in the acknowledgment that while we can never be culturally competent in another culture, we can be humble enough to say, “How might I best provide care for you? How can I best support you such that you are seen, heard and valued, so that we can work together to hopefully optimize your pregnancy outcome?”

In another participant testimonial, Maryland-based mental health clinician Brittany Scriber (LCPC), shared, “As a Black woman, I have heard about the strong Black woman schema before, but after reading the article on it from the mandatory readings list, I learned much more and heavily identified with the different aspects.” Brittany adds that the information from the training will assist her in her work in the Black perinatal community. She expressed her appreciation for the training’s breakdown of the differences between cultural competence and cultural humility.

“The lessons from the BPMH training will allow Seleni to continue on its mission to raise awareness through innovative and quality content. Seleni is dedicated to closing gaps in the curriculum for maternal mental health care for underrepresented communities in the U.S. and across the globe. The reviews and testimonials from our trainees renew our commitment to keep making strides for positive impact and change,” comments Seema Bajaj, our Executive Director at Seleni.

Speaking on the training and early outcomes, Taryn Bird Executive Director of Social Impact at kate spade new york said, “We believe strongly in the foundational tenets of Seleni’s treatment approach, which is that supporting a parent’s mental health has positive impacts for generations. This training speaks directly to the heart of our mission at kate spade new york, which is to empower women and girls around the world through investing in their mental health”.

Dr. Orinthia King, an emergency medicine physician and Director of Ultrasound at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, comments that “Seleni’s work in the maternal mental health community is present, current and it is imperative. With their Black Perinatal Mental Health training course they have helped alert the physician to their own practice biases that may be hindering them from providing the best care to their patients specifically during the perinatal period; where they are the most vulnerable. The course gives depth and understanding to birthing equity from its roots to present-day prejudices, while motivating the learner to self-reflect and enact change in their daily practices. Its content allows for critical thinking, promotes cultural literacy and invites behavior modifications that can aid in decreasing the birth inequity experienced among Black birthing people. Any health professional engaging with Black birthing people should consider incorporating this invaluable course into their continuing medical education”.

In the training preview released in 2022, Dr. Long stresses how important the need for culturally sensitive, respectful and mindful care is, in order to support Black birthing people. It is more than evident, now, and as we look to the future, that intentional awareness, support and protection for diverse populations in perinatal mental health is an extension of fundamental human rights, and that eliminating racial disparities in maternal healthcare and maternal health outcomes is a target well past its due date.

At Seleni, we will continue advancing efforts to close these gaps and chart a future where health equity is guaranteed for all.

Seleni Spotlight: Niquese Kelly Gwaneza, Summer Intern

July 2023 - We are thrilled to welcome Niquese Kelly Gwaneza as our summer intern through the Libra Group Internship Program. We sat down with Niquese for a Q&A.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Niquese!

I am from Rwanda and currently pursuing a Global Challenges degree, almost graduating! I would describe myself as a curious, thoughtful, and detail-oriented person with a strong passion for mental health and wellbeing. I have significant marketing and communications experience in the corporate, real estate, and healthcare sectors. As a problem solver, I have created solutions for different problems in my community and see my purpose and future in the nonprofit sector. I co-founded SYD, a youth-led group that supports vulnerable children with education and basic needs, which has grown to a 100-member team. Currently, I am focused on building a career in the Mental Health sector, in line with my mission to use visual narratives and leverage technology to solve mental health issues among teenagers. In all, I value kindness and humility more than anything else in life.

What excites you most about being part of the Seleni family?

During my undergraduate studies, I researched about teenage mental health, and learnt about the strong influence that parents' mental well-being has on their children, particularly teenagers. That's why I'm excited to be part of an environment where I can continue learning and simultaneously enhance my creative skills in marketing, design and communication. I am also very happy to be making a positive contribution towards Seleni’s mission.

What is your favorite podcast, movie, book, or magazine related to the field of mental health?

My favorite mental health-related movie is “Silver Linings Playbook” because it was the first movie that I watched about mental health and saw the struggles of individuals with mental health issues, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the efforts made by their families to try to help them.

How do you practice self-care?

I practice self-care by journaling, through which I get to learn more about myself and be more mindful. I also enjoy movies, upbeat music, and some video games. I also find relaxation and happiness in just sitting in bed while doing nothing.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, you can find me watching comedy movies, singing random songs, checking out new places, or talking to people; It's my way of unwinding and I also believe that shared stories are what make life truly meaningful.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“Kindness and Hard-work will never fail you.”

What’s a quote that you carry with you to uplift yourself?

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A. A. Milne

Seleni Spotlight: Indira Rambarran, Summer Intern

July 2023 - We are thrilled to welcome Indira Rambarran as our summer intern through the Libra Group Internship Program. We sat down with Indira for a Q&A.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Indira!

Currently, I am going into my last year at the University of Miami Herbert Business School as a marketing major. Even though I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, I actually grew up in Miami, Florida so I am pretty familiar with the city. From real estate to tech, to now mental health, I have worked as a marketing intern in a wide range of industries. Using digital marketing and graphic design skills I learned while at University, I love to be creative while exploring different fields, and I let that drive me on my career path. Ultimately, my main goal is to perform fulfilling work that makes a difference and also makes me happy.

What excites you most about being part of the Seleni family?

I am most excited about working at an incredibly special place that has such a tremendous impact. Doing whatever I can, to my best ability, to educate others about the importance of mental health is extremely motivating to me. I’m excited to hopefully have a positive contribution through what I do.

What is your favorite podcast, movie, book, or magazine related to the field of mental health?

Actively taking care of my mental health has been a huge part of my life for a very long time now. Whenever I really feel like I need a reset, though, I listen to “The Mindset Mentor” with Rob Dial to get me back on track.

How do you practice self-care?

Self-care is definitely very important to me. The main way I intentionally incorporate self-care into my life is through performing exercises I really enjoy at least a few times a week. I’ll alternate between taking yoga and pilates classes, or just going on a long walk while listening to my favorite podcast or playlist. At least once a week, too, I like to light a candle, do a face mask, order takeout, and put on my favorite show or read to give myself some time to completely disconnect and relax.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I always try to spend time with my friends and family. Trying new restaurants and cuisines and visiting cool places and exhibits are some of my favorite things to do, so I often do this with my friends and really enjoy it. Exercising in my free time is also something I like to do because I always find myself feeling better than I did before I worked out. And finally, I am definitely a huge music and movie fan.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was from my dad after I told him about what seemed to me like a very confusing decision to make. But he responded with, “The best thing you can do in life is love as much as possible.” This ended up being the simplest put, yet most impactful piece of advice I’ve ever received.

What’s a quote that you carry with you to uplift yourself?

“Knowing your power is what creates humility. Not knowing your power is what creates insecurity.” -Nayyirah Waheed

Seleni Institute Announces Six New Advisory Board Members

Organization looks forward to expanding its training portfolio and impact globally

June 13, 2023 –  The Seleni Institute, a leading maternal mental health clinic and training institute, is pleased to announce the addition of new members to its advisory board from across the healthcare sector. Founded in 2011 by Nitzia and George Logothetis, Seleni is a recognized leader in treating, training, supporting and advocating for the emotional health of women, caregivers and their families during the family-building years. It does this through a unique hybrid approach that includes a maternal mental health practice, launched in 2013, serving individuals and families in the U.S. as well as through its accredited mental health training institute for health care practitioners around the world. Seleni was launched based on a simple yet powerful insight:  Change a parent’s life, change a child’s life.

Seleni expands its advisory board amid a growing demand for the organization’s clinical services and training curriculum globally. Seleni reached a milestone of 50,000 patient appointments in 2022 and has trained more than 5,000 health professionals in 60 countries through in-person and online CE-accredited courses developed by Seleni clinicians, at times in partnership with other maternal mental health experts and institutions. Seleni’s advisory board members offer insights from their respective fields and support Seleni in its mission to raise greater global awareness around and address perinatal and reproductive mental health issues that affect tens of millions of families world wide.

 Seleni’s new advisory board members include:

• Babalola Jinadu, DO, an obstetrician gynecologist with a special interest in women’s healthcare.

• Orinthia King, DO, an emergency medicine physician with a specialty in clinical ultrasonography.

• Sarah Mallin, MA, BSN, RNC-NIC, IBCLC, a former NICU nursing director, and founding member and director of operations at Boram Postnatal Retreat in New York.

• Renee M. Rawcliffe, LMSW, director of continuing education and professional development at Adelphi University School of Social Work. She is a licensed social worker with over 25 years of experience as a clinician and program director in the nonprofit world.

• Ashanda Saint Jean, MD chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Health Alliance Hospitals of the Hudson Valley. She is an obstetrician gynecologist with over 20 years of experience

• Susan Wilner, LCSW is assistant director for behavioral health operations at Stony Brook Medicine in New York.

 They join their esteemed peers on the advisory board:

•  Deena Blanchard MD, MPH, a pediatrician in New York with a strong interest and commitment to maternal mental health.

• Lee S. Cohen, MD, director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women's Mental Health and Associate Chief of Psychiatry for Philanthropy and Departmental Communications at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Edmund and Carroll Carpenter Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is a leader in the field of women’s mental health and was among the founders of the field of perinatal and reproductive psychiatry.

• Phyllis Magrab, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist and director of the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD). She also holds a UNESCO Chair and serves as the vice chair of the US-Afghan Women's Council.

• Ellen Manos, MD, an obstetrician gynecologist who has practiced for more than two decades. She serves as senior attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital.

“Seleni’s advisory board has helped the organization become a leader in maternal mental health care over the past decade. As we look to expand our services beyond mental health during the family-building years and the reach of our continuing education program, we are excited to welcome these new board members who bring a wealth of expertise and new ideas that will help propel our growth over the next ten years,” said Seema Bajaj, executive director of Seleni.

Learn more about Seleni at seleni.org and see all advisory board member biographies at seleni.org/leadership-team.

About Seleni

Seleni is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 on a simple yet powerful insight: Change a parent’s life, change a child’s life. As a recognized leader in maternal and reproductive mental health, Seleni is dedicated to destigmatizing maternal mental health care and supporting the emotional health of individuals and families during the family-building years. By removing many barriers to therapy through in-person and virtual treatment for individuals and couples and its CE-accredited training and scholarships for health professionals, Seleni helps scale access to treatment and expand practitioner knowledge worldwide. Visit seleni.org and explore the organization’s professional training curriculum at training.seleni.org.

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