Our Wellness Network – Mental Health

Our Wellness Network

On Thursday, June 18, 2020, First Year Cleveland’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Initiative (PAIL) launched OWN (Our Wellness Network)! OWN is a network of Black mental health professionals and peer support specialists who hope to provide Black community members with the support they need to manage depression, anxiety, and stress before, during, and even after pregnancy in an effort to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Individuals who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss may contact OWN 24/7 by calling 216-308-7592 or emailing ownbbc@birthingbeautiful.org.

OWN was developed after members of PAIL learned from parents who had sought counseling that they felt they weren’t being heard and couldn’t relate to their counselor because he or she didn’t look like them and couldn’t assimilate their unique situations and perspectives.

OWN counselors understand the unique perspectives of Black parents who’ve experienced a loss. OWN is comprised of Black lay specialists, including parents who’ve experienced loss, clergy, and health advocates. OWN counselors are licensed, engaged, and available. When you reach out to OWN, you’ll get one of your own.

OWN offers a number of support services, including grief support, group support, and therapeutic services. Individuals can use whichever form of support they feel most comfortable with, and they’re encouraged to move through the different forms of healing.

If you’d like to learn more, please take some time to view the press conference where OWN was discussed in detail, with a follow-up Q&A session. You may also view the press release and Frequently-Asked Questions.

Also, an interview with TC Lewis, host of WOVU’s Our Voices Today radio program, can be found here. We strongly encourage you to spend some time learning about this excellent program. The interview runs for about 45 minutes, with a break in the middle for station notifications.

If you’d like additional information, please visit http://ourwellnessnetwork.org.