CarePlus NJ’s Maternal & Family Center to Host Reproductive Freedom and Maternal Mental Health Roundtable Discussion

Paramus, N.J. (January 23, 2025) –  The Maternal & Family Center at CarePlus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus NJ”) one of the nation’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers, will host a free virtual roundtable discussion, on January 30, 2025, from 5:30pm to 7pm.

The webinar will bring together leading experts, advocates, and healthcare professionals to examine how access to reproductive care, legal and policy changes, societal attitudes, and systemic inequities impact the mental health and well-being of mothers, families, and LGBTQ+ individuals. No pre-registration is required and those who wish to attend can log on via this Zoom link - meeting ID: 828 8124 4275, passcode: 024060. 

The panelists will include four clinicians from CarePlus NJ who specialize in the Perinatal Maternal Mental Health population: Cynthia Gutierrez, LSW, Anna Perksy, LAC, Megan Warshauer, LSW, and Aurielle Wilderman, LSW. Together they will discuss the psychological effects of restricted reproductive rights on maternal and family health as well as:

The role of reproductive autonomy in promoting mental wellness and equity.

Strategies for supporting mothers, families, and LGBTQ+ individuals amid evolving reproductive landscapes.

Barriers to reproductive care and advancing access to care equity for underserved communities.

The importance of policy advocacy in protecting maternal mental health and fostering inclusivity.

“This roundtable discussion comes at a critical time when reproductive freedom and maternal mental health are under increasing scrutiny and facing significant challenges,” said Melissa Oparaku, Vice President of Outpatient Clinical Services at CarePlus NJ. “By bringing together experts, advocates, and allies, we aim to highlight the intricate connections between reproductive care and mental well-being, to inspire actionable changes that promote reproductive freedom, access to care equity, and maternal mental health.”

CarePlus NJ’s Maternal and Family Center is staffed by experts who have received specialty training and certifications in perinatal mental health from Postpartum Support International (PSI), which was established to meet the mental health care needs for women and families who are trying to conceive, currently pregnant or postpartum, or who have suffered grief or loss. The program provides specialty care with expertise in treating the whole family, including pregnancy in teens and young adults.

The Maternal and Family Center’s specialized services include: counseling for individuals, couples and families; support groups; medication education, evaluation and management; family education and support for fathers, spouses, partners and loved ones; case management; care coordination with primary care doctors, OB/GYNs and outside mental health professionals; and referrals to supportive services as needed.

Fore more information on the Maternal and Family Center at CarePlus NJ please visit https://careplusnj.org/maternal-family-center-lp/. 

About CarePlus NJ

CarePlus NJ, one of the nation’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers, is a leading nonprofit provider of integrated mental health, substance use, and primary care services for adults and children in northern New Jersey. For more than 45 years, CarePlus NJ, has been the gold standard for delivering high-quality affordable behavioral health and social support programs to individuals and families at every stage of life regardless of diagnosis or insurance status. With over 80 specialized programs, CarePlus NJ is a one-stop provider serving 14,000 children and adults across 11 counties each year delivering a comprehensive range of mental health and addiction treatment services for anyone in need. CarePlus NJ works to ensure everyone has equal access to quality healthcare.