The timing of this recent NICU-focused baby shower at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital couldn’t have been more fitting. Held during Mental Health Awareness Month, the event served as a gentle reminder that maternal mental health must be part of the national conversation. Organized by SoMypolar, a Florida-based non-profit organization focused on mental health, in partnership with the Lawrence Guy Family Foundation, the event was more than a celebration.
Together, they offered a day of healing and connection for NICU parents. The collaboration was rooted in a shared purpose and a deep respect for the personal journey of Lawrence and Andrea Guy, who launched their foundation after navigating the emotional toll of a NICU experience themselves.
“The Guys have an incredible story of hope through hardship,” said Melissa Duncan from SoMypolar. “We knew we had to support them. Our mission has always been about helping people heal physically, mentally emotionally. And NICU parents need that message more than most.”
At the event, attendees received more than just baby supplies. They also gained access to resources about mental health and healthy eating, two pillars of support often overlooked in the chaos of early parenthood. “Caring for a sick child often means mothers forget to care for themselves,” Jihan Gabart from SoMypolar shared. “Their minds and bodies carry the weight. And that’s why these tools are so necessary.”
One moment stood out clearly for both Duncan and Gabart. “We loved seeing the faces of the parents at the event. All people want to be heard, seen, feel safe, and accepted. The work is essential because we are all battling something and need reassurance.”
SoMypolar’s presence at the baby shower wasn’t incidental. The brand’s core mission is grounded in community engagement and mental wellness. Its team believes wellness cannot be siloed, it must include access, education, and empathy. “Offering support, especially in overlooked communities, can shift everything,” they said.
Their involvement is also part of a broader strategy. As Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds, SoMypolar is urging people to pause and reflect. “Ask yourself, How am I really doing? What’s overwhelming me? And then talk to someone. Reach out and normalize getting help,” the team urged.
Their calendar for the year reflects this commitment. During Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in June, SoMypolar will partner with The Caring House homeless shelter in Miami for a Father’s Day event focused on men’s wellness, another group often left out of the mental health conversation.
For SoMypolar, these are not isolated gestures. They’re part of a long-term movement to embed mental health support into every corner of the community. “We’ve been serving underserved communities for 13 years,” they said. “This is what we do. And we’re just getting started.”
In a moment when many feel unseen, this baby shower was a small but powerful act of recognition. And perhaps that is where true healing begins.
