A Conversation with Dr. Richelle Whittaker, CEO
Q: What made you decide to start Next Steps @ Work?
A: I have always had a desire to work with parents – but when I went through an unexpected and challenging birth experience, I started Next Steps because I wanted to be the person that I wished I had — someone I could ask for help and to discuss difficult topics with that moms and dads often feel ashamed to discuss with their loved ones.
Q: Do you think organizations are making progress when it comes providing supporting for working parents?
A: I think that there has been some progress made, but companies can do a lot more. I don’t think corporations often consider what parents need, which is why some of them are losing valuable employees. They must do the work to redefine workspaces, which includes having important conversations and building community and support groups for working parents, much like companies have created work groups for African American groups or LGBTQIA+ groups.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you will give to new parents trying to juggle their work life and their home life?
A: I would tell them to ask for help. You cannot do it alone. You’ll go crazy. Help doesn’t have to come in the form of family, it can be anything that helps make your transition into parenthood run smoothly: a meal prep service or a laundry service. I want parents to know that they can’t — and shouldn’t feel like — they must do it on their own, especially if they want to be in their best mental health state.
Q Topics about dads and postpartum depression are not often discussed. Can dads suffer from postpartum depression too?
A: Yes, of course. I once hosted a discussion forum at a barbershop and spoke to a new dad who asked this very question. Dads often struggle with the financial burden of being responsible for another person and figuring out where they fit in with the new dynamic. Mothers have experienced 9 months of bonding with an infant. All those things contribute to a dad experiencing postpartum and can cause a ripple in a family. The biggest challenge with dads, is trying to get them to open up about what they are experiencing. The barber I spoke to said if I didn’t host the discussion, he wouldn’t have ever discussed his concerns with anyone.
Q: As a leading supporter of working parents, what’s your most memorable moment?
A: One of the things that resonated me the most is when I conducted a presentation on Demystifying Postpartum Depression, which shed light on a lot of topics that women in the room were experiencing but were going through it alone. It made me realize how a lot of parents lack the support they need to thrive. This is why I have created programs to ensure they get the support they need during crucial times.