A new initiative has emerged in the Central Okanagan region, aimed at providing support to individuals navigating pregnancy or coping with infant loss.
Called the Okanagan Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support (OPILS), the group is dedicated to extending assistance, particularly in the realm of mental health.
Krystal Brown, Chair of OPILS, emphasized the pressing need for such support, citing insights gleaned from research and discussions with healthcare experts. Brown stated, “There’s a noticeable gap in mental health services for those impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. Our goal is to fill this void by facilitating individual counseling and specialized training for counselors in Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) care.”
Funding for counseling sessions and training programs will primarily come from community donations, underpinning the organization’s efforts.
To kickstart this initiative, a fundraising event is scheduled at the Kelowna Flower Farm on June 23. The event, named Connected Hearts Healing Yoga, offers participants an hour-long session designed to foster a reconnection with their bodies.
