Inside Brookline Health

S1E3 - It’s Time to Talk: Navigating Maternal Mental Health

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:26:39 -0000

In this episode, Chris sits down with Michelle Visser, a licensed psychotherapist, certified early intervention specialist, and Board member for the Friends of Brookline Public Health. In honor of Maternal Mental Health Month, they tackle a vital topic that affects nearly everyone who has ever been pregnant, given birth, or supported someone on a parenting journey, yet remains far too rarely discussed openly.

Michelle shares her professional insights into the full spectrum of perinatal well-being, untangles the intense anxiety of intrusive thoughts, and highlights how to recognize when a parent truly needs extra support.

Key Takeaways from Michelle Visser:

The Top Childbearing Complication: Mental health struggles are the number one medical complication of childbearing in the United States. It outranks any other physical or medical condition on the list.
Understanding Perinatal Well-Being: Maternal mental health encompasses an individual's level of psychological functioning and emotional well-being across pregnancy, the postpartum period, and ongoing parenting. It extends far beyond just postpartum depression or the temporary baby blues.
The Reality of Intrusive Thoughts: Scary or distressing thoughts (such as a sudden flash of worry about dropping the baby on the stairs) are an incredibly common symptom of postpartum anxiety. While terrifying, these thoughts are often a sign of a hyper-vigilant brain attempting to keep a helpless infant safe.
The Core Self-Screen Check: To evaluate your well-being, look past the expected exhaustion and ask yourself: "Do I feel like myself?" If you are concerned about a loved one, gently ask them: "Do you seem like yourself right now?"
Recognizing When to Seek Support: Typical transitions can feel upside down, but it is time to connect with a professional when emotional struggles interfere with your daily life, for example, if you find yourself being too worried to leave the house, go to work, or turn your brain off to sleep.
Red Flags Needing Immediate Care: Reach out for emergency support right away if a parent is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or harming others, feeling a dangerous surge of high energy despite no sleep, or seeing and hearing things that others do not.

Resources & Local Support:

Right Here in Brookline

Brookline Health Department Navigator: Connect with Eliza Usen for personalized guidance on local services.
Email: EUsen@BrooklineMA.gov
Phone: 617-730-2652
In-Person: 11 Pierce Street, 2nd Floor, Brookline, MA
Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS): Offers wonderful local, completely non-religious peer support and socialization groups for new and experienced parents.
New Library Support Groups: Stay tuned for free, informal parenting support groups starting this fall across all three Brookline Public Library branches (Putterham, Coolidge Corner, and Brookline Village). More information forthcoming at www.brooklinelibrary.org

National & Screening Tools

Postpartum Support International (PSI): Provides access to free online support groups, warm lines, and a dedicated maternal mental health specialist search tool.
Website: postpartum.net
Self-Screening Scales: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a simple, 10-question tool available online that can help you understand your symptoms and ground your conversations with your provider.
National Crisis Support: For an immediate mental health emergency, dial or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified professional who can consider your individual needs and circumstances. Listeners should consult a qualified professional regarding their specific situation and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you hear on this podcast. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Friends of Brookline Public Health, the Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services, Brookline Interactive Group (BIG), or any affiliated institutions. Use of this content is at your own risk.

S1E2 - Parenting in Real Time: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Your Child

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:39:42 -0000

In this episode, Chris and Pat sit down with Michelle Visser, a licensed psychotherapist, certified early intervention specialist, and Board member for the Friends of Brookline Public Health. We discuss the challenges of parenting in real time, specifically how to navigate those unexpected, difficult questions children ask when parents are least prepared, whether in traffic or right before bed. Michelle offers practical strategies for building emotional awareness, modeling empathy, and maintaining a strong, open connection with your children in an increasingly complex world.

Key Takeaways from Michelle Visser:

Don't Rush the Answer: When a child asks a big or unexpected question about a difficult topic, it is okay to acknowledge it is a great question and ask for a few minutes to think so you can provide the best answer.
Seek Context: If a question is unclear, ask your child what made them think of it today. Getting more context helps you meet them where they actually are rather than assuming the question is more complicated than it is.
Model Emotional Honesty: It is healthy for children to see their parents experience emotions such as sadness or worry. Modeling these feelings in a stable way provides a safe space for children to practice their own feelings before they face the world.
Look for the Helpers: Inspired by Mr. Rogers, Michelle suggests helping children navigate dark or scary world events by identifying the people who are out there helping, such as firefighters, teachers, or volunteers.
The Open Door Policy: Remind your children that you are always available to talk and that they will not get in trouble for sharing information with you. Hearing the information is always more important than whether a choice was right or wrong.

Resources Mentioned:

Friends of Brookline Public Health Website: brooklinefbph.wixsite.com/brooklinefbph
Upcoming Parenting in Real Time Events:
Featuring expert panelists Michelle Visser (LMHC, Psychotherapist) and Matt DuBois (Ph.D., NCSP, Senior Director of Clinical Services & Social and Emotional Learning, PSB), moderated by John Kleschinsky, DrPH, Director of Public Health & Human Services.
In-Person: Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 PM, Hunneman Hall, Brookline Public Library (Brookline Village).
Virtual: Monday, March 30 at 6:30 PM Online.
Register to attend: https://brooklinehealthdept.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_brBVMuHnD0sI6sm
Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services: brooklinema.gov/health
Make a Donation: Visit brooklinecommunity.org and select Friends of Brookline Public Health Fund from the dropdown menu.

Disclaimer:

S1E1 - Navigating New Vaccination Guidelines

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000

Episode Notes

In this episode, Chris and Pat sit down with Dr. Rosemarie Roque Gordon, MD, MPH, a local pediatrician and Vice Chair of Brookline’s Advisory Council on Public Health (ACPH). We dive into the recent January 5, 2026 changes to the childhood immunization schedule.

Specifically, we discuss the shift of six immunizations from the "recommended" list into a new category of “shared clinical decision-making” between parents and providers.

Key Takeaways from Dr. Gordon:

The Big Three: Dr. Gordon breaks down why three of these vaccines—Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, and the Flu shot—remain critical for protecting our children.
Trusted Guidance: While federal lists have shifted, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continue to support the full schedule of all 17 childhood vaccinations.
No Change in Access: Dr. Gordon reassures Brookline families that your access to these life-saving vaccines has not changed. They are available and recommended by your local health experts.
Local Support: We identify the resources available right here at the Brookline Health Department to help you stay informed and protected.

Public health is truly about community care. In this episode, we share a powerful analogy: vaccines are like a blanket you throw down to put out a fire before it can spread. You’ll want to listen to the full conversation to learn exactly what we mean by that and how it applies to keeping Brookline safe.

Resources Mentioned:

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Brookline Department of Public Health

Disclaimer:

Introduction Episode

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0000

Episode Notes

Inside Brookline Health is your go-to podcast for bite-sized, practical, and science-based guidance tailored specifically for our Brookline community.

Hosted by Dr. Chris Chanyasulkit, PhD, MPH, and Pat Maher, MS, RNP, this series is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Friends of Brookline Public Health, in partnership with the Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services and Brookline Interactive Group (BIG).

What’s Happening?

In this introductory episode, co-hosts and co-presidents Dr. Chris Chanyasulkit and Pat Maher discuss the launch of this new podcast series and dive into the mission of the Friends of Brookline Public Health (FBPH). They explain how the organization serves as a vital partner to the town, bridging the gap between municipal budgets and the evolving health needs of our neighbors.

Key Takeaways:

A 30-Year Legacy: The Friends of Brookline Public Health has been a vital part of the community for nearly 30 years, raising funds to support local health efforts beyond what the town budget can cover.
Filling the Gaps: The organization steps in to fund critical programs that keep Brookline healthy, especially as federal investments in public health face challenges and misinformation grows.
Impactful Local Programs:
Brookline Thrives: Provides free, shelf-stable weekend food bags to any Brookline student in need, ensuring no child goes hungry when school is not in session.
Brookline Food Pantry: FBPH supports this essential resource, which serves over 700 families in town each week.
Equity and Dignity: Recent efforts include a successful drive for diapers and incontinence products, as these are critical yet often overlooked determinants of family and senior health.
Community Advocacy: From providing turkeys for Thanksgiving to co-sponsoring educational programs on climate change and vaccination hesitancy, the Friends serve to bridge gaps in knowledge and resources to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead their healthiest lives.

Resources Mentioned:

Friends of Brookline Public Health Website: brooklinefph.wixsite.com/brooklinefph
Make a Donation: Visit brooklinecommunity.org and select "Friends of Brookline Public Health Fund" from the dropdown menu.
Brookline Thrives: brooklinethrives.org
Brookline Food Pantry: https://brooklinefoodpantry.org/

Disclaimer: