In this episode our guest is Marie-Josée Bourassa. Marie-Josée is an accomplished nurse clinician and founder and manager of the Méno-Joie Clinic, She came to the cafe to discuss menopause and how to find joy in this natural transition . Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Key Takeaways:

• Holistic Support is Key: Menopause isn't an illness—it's a natural transition. Optimal well-being comes from a blend of education, healthy habits (like nutrition and physical activity), and mental health support.
• Menopause and Perimenopause Explained: Menopause is officially marked by one year without a menstrual period, usually occurring between ages 45 and 55.
• Varied Symptoms and Experiences: While hot flashes are well-known, symptoms can also include sleep disturbances, mood changes, heavy or irregular periods, joint pain, loss of libido. Every woman’s experience is unique.
• Importance of Education and Self-Advocacy: There's still a lack of research and public knowledge about menopause. Women are encouraged to educate themselves, track their symptoms, and advocate for proper care when visiting healthcare providers.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT is a safe and effective treatment for many women, and current research supports its use for longer periods than previously thought, particularly for managing severe symptoms and preventing osteoporosis.
• Empowerment and Support: Menopause can be a time of growth, empowerment, and community. Women supporting each other, breaking the taboo, and openly sharing experiences can make this life stage more positive and less isolating.

As usual if you would like to learn more about the good health cafe check out website: www.thegoodhealthcafe.com, follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list. Until next time, see you in the cafe later, bye

Bio

Marie-Josée Bourassa, founder and manager of the Méno-Joie Clinic, is an accomplished nurse clinician and a leader in the Quebec healthcare services. Her expertise in women’s health and her decades of managerial experience in healthcare organizations have prepared her to lead in offering services to mature women. Her credibility as a leader and managerial abilities are well-established across the metropolitan of Montreal. She has directly worked with women healthcare providers for the last 25 years and has led many projects affecting patient access and optimization of healthcare services. Marie-Josée works closely with the McGill gynecology medical community and nursing associations. She is also the 2021 recipient of the Healthcare

Leadership Award, the Jeanne Mance Award of the Regional Order of Nurses (ORIIML).

Marie-Josée has gained knowledge through her education through the International Masters of Health Leadership at McGill. She aims to help the women suffering through the transitions of their menopause and, therefore, build a safe environment that prones compassionate medicine. She hears women and embraces them through Méno-Joie.

Website: www.menojoie.com

Host- Nikita Boston-Fisher

The Good Health Cafe

www.thegoodhealthcafe.com

Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe

Sign up for our mailing list: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/

The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form

https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

@thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook

In this episode our guest is Sasha Panday. Sasha is a mom to a young daughter and a stroke survivor. She came to the cafe to discuss her experience of having a stroke as a young woman in her 30s. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Key Takeaways:

• Strokes can happen at any age — know your risks and the warning signs.
• The road to recovery is long but possible, particularly with support, determination, and community.
• If you or someone you love is recovering from a stroke or another major health event, you are not alone. Seek out support groups and resources (Sasha found solace in groups like March of Dimes).
• Don’t take your health for granted. Early intervention for things like high blood pressure can be lifesaving.
• Never underestimate the power of hope and the people around you.

As usual if you would like to learn more about the good health cafe check out website: www.thegoodhealthcafe.com, follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list.

Sasha's Bio

Sasha Panday is a stroke Survivor and mom. Prior to her stroke she was a digital strategist for Google. Post stroke she is focusing on recovering and strengthening her brain and body. She’s learning every day about hemorrhagic stroke and the effects it has on the body.

The Good Health Cafe

www.thegoodhealthcafe.com

Host: Nikita Boston-Fisher

Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe

Sign up for our mailing list: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/

The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form

https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

@thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook

In this episode our guest is Nadia Mbonde. Nadia is a MotherScholar, Multimedia Artist, Mental Health Doula, a doctoral student . She came to the cafe to discuss the importance of mental health discussions in reproductive healthcare, and the broader societal impacts of racial and gender bias. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Mental health and reproduction should be viewed together, not separately, to help reduce maternal mortality
• There's often poor coordination between mental health providers and reproductive healthcare
• Quality mental health care is heavily segregated, with stark differences between private and public facilities
• Being informed helps in advocating for oneself in healthcare settings
• Having support (like doulas) can improve healthcare experiences
• It's important to fact-check and seek multiple opinions when receiving medical advice
• There's misinformation about mental health medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Check out Nadia’s work!

About Nadia

Nadia is a MotherScholar, Multimedia Artist, Mental Health Doula, a doctoral student in Sociocultural Anthropology at New York University and a multi-media artist pursuing a certificate in Culture & Media, a nationally-respected program in media documentation. Her research and creative work is situated at the intersection of medical anthropology, disability studies, Mad studies, and Black feminist theory. As a National Science Foundation Research Fellow and a Birth Equity Scholar, her research addresses how perinatal mental health disparities contribute to the ongoing Black maternal mortality and morbidity crisis in the United States.

Nadia’s website: https://nadianmbonde.com/

The Good Health Cafe

www.thegoodhealthcafe.com

Facebook and Instagram: @thegoodhealthcafe

Sign up for our mailing list: https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/

The Good Health Cafe Feedback Form

https://www.thegoodhealthcafe.com/submit-your-question

@thegoodhealthcafe on Instagram and Facebook