NAMI Collaborates with Owl & Friends to Provide Support for Maternal Mental Health The expression ‘bundle of joy’ is often used in reference to a newborn baby, but for many women, it is not joy that’s being experienced, instead, it’s perinatal or postpartum depression or another mood disorder. NAMI Northeast Region PA (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and the newly opened business Owl & Friends in Wayne County are collaborating to offer parents the opportunity for education, support and community all in one place. NAMI Northeast Region has been offering its Momma Bears support group meetings at no cost to individuals affected by pre- and postnatal mental health struggles since February of 2022, and has recently teamed up with Owl & Friends so meeting attendees can be in a space created specifically for parents of children who are ages infant to 5 years old. On Thursday, February 13, NAMI’s Momma Bears support group will begin meeting at Owl & Friends, 809 Main St. in Honesdale at noon and continue to meet there on the second Thursday of every month. NAMI’s Executive Director Marie Onukiavage said, “Helen Keller’s quote ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,’ reflects the truth in our collaboration with Owl & Friends and what owner Ashley Springer has created in this space: ‘a community hub for growth and fun.’ NAMI wants anyone who is struggling with pre- or postpartum mental health to know that they are not alone, and mental health recovery through support and education is possible.” Support groups like these are vital given that in the U.S., 1 in 5 women experience a mental health disorder in the months before or after giving birth — and the vast majority of them never get care, according to an article published to the Association of American Medical Colleges website in December of 2023. Owl & Friends grew out of founder Ashley Springer’s search for connection with other moms and activities for her three children who are 4 months, 4 and 6 years old in one convenient location. With her four-month-old child napping on her chest, Springer said, “I was spending time trying to find events on Facebook and driving all around to different places and I was using too much mental energy and time in the car.” In addition to helping parents save energy and time by having one central location for activities, drop-in playtime, and support group meetings, Springer said the ability to connect with other moms is crucial. “I found that I needed to get out to talk to people, to feel like a human being, not a milk machine. I was inspired to create a place that feels like home and isn’t just a class, it’s a community where you can talk to other people going through what you’re going through,” Springer said. In addition to the monthly Momma Bears support group meetings that are open to the public, NAMI will offer monthly workshops for Owl & Friends’ members beginning on February 27. NAMI Services Leader and Momma Bears facilitator Katie Spencer said, “To be located where moms and families gather for community and support for their growing families aligns with NAMI’s mission of helping and supporting individuals and families find hope, support, and education. We are grateful for this collaboration and are looking forward to helping pregnant and postpartum moms feel heard, validated, and supported.” Owl & Friends will have a soft opening for the public to visit starting February 15 with a grand opening party scheduled for March 1. Follow Owl & Friends PA on Facebook for upcoming events. To learn about all of NAMI’s resources to help individuals living with mental illness and their families, visit NAMINEPA.org and follow NAMI NEPA on Facebook and Instagram.
NAMI Collaborates with Walking Club for Mental Health Awareness NAMI Northeast Region PA ended the observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week by collaborating with the Connell Park Walking Club in Scranton last week. Owen Dougherty, NAMI volunteer and former board member, pictured on the left, spoke to walk participants about his mental health and the resources NAMI offers to help and provide hope in the form of support groups, educational programs and advocacy. He was joined by NAMI board member Mike Joyce who also participated in the walk around the park that day. NAMI held a series of “walk-and-talk” events throughout the summer to educate and raise awareness about mental illness and to connect members of the community in green spaces that are shown to be good for the health of our minds and bodies. It was the perfect collaboration to partner with Scranton’s Connell Park Walking Club to do a walk-and-talk in October at the end of Mental Illness Awareness Week. Visit NAMINEPA.org for information on support group meetings for individuals with mental illness, family members of loved ones with mental illness and for women experiencing struggles with their maternal mental health; if you would like to host a mental health first aid training or other education program at your workplace or organization, email info@naminepa.org or call 570-342-1047.
NAMI Northeast Begins Walk-and-Talk Series NAMI Northeast Region Executive Director Marie Onukiavage met recently with outdoor professionals in the community to connect on a new series of monthly walks to highlight help provided by NAMI while encouraging participants to experience the healing power of nature. NAMI will collaborate with Ski Shack owner and yoga instructor Melissa Roberts on planning locations and having Melissa offer stress-relieving breathing techniques and guidance on walking trails. Marie met recently with Melissa and Paul Bechtel, Lackawanna County Director of Parks & Recreation, who provided information and input on parks throughout the county that offer beautiful trails for everyone to explore as they attempt to unplug from daily stressors and plug in to the peace and tranquility that exists among the trees and greenery. NAMI encourages everyone in the community to join them on June 26 at 6 p.m. at Camp Freedom as they highlight men’s mental health and the importance of talking about it openly to remove stigma. NAMI will share information and resources available and nonprofit Camp Freedom personnel will spotlight the many wonderful services they provide, along with leading a walk on their scenic property.
NAMI Northeast PA Earns Leadership Certificate NAMI Services Leader Katie Spencer recently completed a certificate in the Leadership Fellows Academy, which is an eight-month course offered through The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) in collaboration with the University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Public and International Affairs and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. This was offered to leaders of nonprofit organizations that provide peer support services and/or mental health crisis services, and it is the first time this program was offered in the state of Pennsylvania. Leadership Fellows Academy (LFA) is a transformational cohort learning experience that seeks to enhance the capacities of the mental health ecosystem across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Today, leaders, organizations, and communities are especially challenged by a need to be adaptive and innovative to solve the grand challenges of our time. LFA creates a community of such adaptive leaders to face these challenges and feel empowered to work together to expand access to mental health treatment in Pennsylvania. In addition to a few in-person sessions, over the course of eight months, Katie attended weekly webinars and had the opportunity to work with an executive coach via Zoom every three weeks. Katie learned about a variety of topics to help her become more effective and resourceful in her position with NAMI in the Northeast Region of PA. Some of the topics included: understanding the non-profit sector, building an effective board of directors, program growth and development, conflict resolution, negotiation and marketing strategies, networking and relationship building, influencing public policy and internal policies and much more. Katie says, “The Leadership Fellows Academy has reignited my passion to help others. Throughout the eight-month program I had the opportunity to build upon my leadership skills and was reminded how unique and important a peer perspective can be. I’m eager to continue to help others battling mental health conditions here in Northeast PA and beyond.”
