Mothers Support Group

One way that Welcome Neighbor STL helps to support refugee families is by embracing our refugee mothers specifically.

Why is it vital for us to go out of our way to help welcome and support refugee mothers coming into St. Louis?

Families facing displacement are at a significantly higher risk of struggling with Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In addition to unrest and a lack of safety in home countries, coming to a new country brings forth a number of additional stressors, trauma, and unknowns for families.

Helping mothers is a key element in supporting our incoming refugee families as a whole. As primary caretakers, mothers’ mental wellness greatly impacts children’s adjustment and mental wellness, as well as their likelihood of future mental health struggles. Supporting mothers socially, mentally, and emotionally as well as connecting them to necessary resources and supporting them in their mothering role helps set a stable foundation for the entire family’s wellness.

Welcome Neighbor STL provides two therapeutic support groups for mothers. They meet at a safe and inviting space—with or without their children, complete with a small play area and child minding support during groups.

Welcome Neighbor STL’s Mother’s Group works to welcome refugee mamas and show our support for the unique stressors that mothers facing displacement face and widen the reach of the very necessary village of mothers.

Jillayna Adamson, MA, LPC, LMHC, of Bright Tribe Therapy and Wellness is the creator and clinician running the Welcome Neighbor’s Mothers Group. Jillayna (Jill-anna) is a psychotherapist in St. Louis with a background in Psychology and Anthropology. She specializes in trauma and cross-cultural mental wellness in women/mothers, as well as children.  She is in private practice and is passionate about connecting with and empowering fellow moms through the Welcome Neighbor’s mama group!