New partnership invites grieving residents to heal at luncheon

ELYRIA — Through moments of reflection and sharing about loved ones who have died, members of local communities of color gathered Sunday to take steps toward addressing the trauma of violence-related loss. These were some of goals at the "Sharing Hope: Share From The Chair-The Art Of Healing" luncheon, part of a new partnership between the Lorain County Section of the National Council of Negro Women, the Elyria YWCA and the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County. The gathering was the first public event for the collaboration and was held at the Elyria YWCA on West Avenue. "I think an event like this, being able to share where you're at and to get validation for that, I think is huge," said Tonya Birney, dissemination and implementation director with the MHARS Board. She said it could be the first step toward addressing the stigma that exists toward mental health struggles, moving attendees to the point of seeking support. Birney said the luncheon provided an opportunity "to provide resources to them so that they can reach out for support and for help." Residents in some communities may not even know what resources exist for people struggling with a loss, she said. Some of the ways the MHARS Board encourages residents to seek help if they are in need include: Non-emergency helpline, from Monday to Friday, regular business hours: (440) 240-7025 Crisis text line: text "4hope" to 741 741 24/7 crisis hotline: 1-800-888-6161 Addiction helpline: (440) 989-4900 Sunday's event also featured presentations, activities and resources from multiple local nonprofit organizations and mental health professionals. Attendees were asked to bring items reflective of the person they were grieving, said Regan Phillips, president of the Lorain County Section of the National Council of Negro Women. "The day really has to be all about their loved one, their love for them," she said. "Not specifically the way that their loved one died, or anything surrounding their death, but just all about their love for them. Who they were as a person, how they lived." Turnout for the luncheon exceeded expectations, Phillips said. In the future, the partnership envisions holding quarterly "Share from the Chair: Cuts and Conversation Events" to connect families with "community gatekeepers" like beauty shop and barber shop owners for the purpose of having mental wellness discussions. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.