Carmen Harrison is a Community Engagement and Outreach Professional with the Zero to Thrive program and MC3. She was profiled in the Michigan Medicine Headlines as part of its “Day in the Life” series.

In her position, Carmen Harrison builds meaningful partnerships and connects families and providers to resources that support maternal and infant mental health. 

Her work is rooted in trust, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to meeting people where they are, helping ensure families across Southeast Michigan are connected to the care and support they deserve.

In her role with Zero to Thrive, Harrison promotes Strong Roots programs, which focus on building healthy family relationships, including peer-led Strong Roots Parent Cafés that create safe spaces for honest conversations. She also supports Michigan Clinical Consultation & Care (MC3), a psychiatric access program offering consultation, resources and education, along with specialized perinatal support to help providers and families address mental health needs and social drivers of health. 

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Harrison shared a glimpse into a day at work, in her own words, as she builds connections and supports both families and professionals in their mental health journeys.

9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

My day usually starts with connecting to the Wayne County Resource Champions. This is a communitywide network that connects nonprofits that are looking for support for their clients and patients, and it has been such a helpful tool in my work.

I spend most of my mornings sharing information with the network about Zero to Thrive and MC3, and helping connect people to resources like food pantries, housing support, utility assistance and other basic needs. I also take the time to connect with my Zero to Thrive clinical team. Because most of my work is out in the community, I like to stay connected to my colleagues as much as possible so we can support each other in the work we are doing.

This is honestly one of my favorite parts of the day. I get to use the resource network I have built, but more importantly, I get to help connect people to things they truly need.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Late mornings are usually focused on outreach and building partnerships. I connect with organizations that serve perinatal and postpartum moms, including Women Infants and Children (WIC) offices, health clinics, social service agencies and community organizations.

Today, I traveled to The Luke Clinic, a free clinic offering prenatal care and infant care to mothers in Detroit. The Luke Clinic is committed to saving lives in Detroit by addressing high infant and maternal mortality rates and we partner with them to provide evidence-based resources and services to support their patients’ behavioral health needs.

12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

I take a quick break for lunch — usually something light, although I try very hard not to include a pastry 😉

1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A big part of my afternoon is spent in the community. I travel throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, visiting different organizations to build and maintain relationships.

I spend time at WIC offices, health clinics, social service agencies, and even libraries, sharing information and resources from Zero to Thrive and MC3.

Libraries are especially important spaces in the community. They often serve as warming and cooling centers for people who are unhoused, and it is not unusual to see pregnant moms there during the day while waiting for a shelter to open in the evening. Knowing that pregnant moms are going through homelessness is one of the harder parts of my work, and it motivates me to continue to engage in community outreach and engagement because I see first-hand the difference I can make.

Promoting Zero to Thrive initiatives at community events is where the magic happens. Whether it is a health fair, a community baby shower, or a policy discussion, these spaces bring people together. I get to connect with moms, physicians, nurses, doulas, lactation specialists, clinical directors and community advocates. Today, I was able to attend the Black Maternal Health Fair in Ypsilanti. These conversations are where real connections are made and where people start to see how programs like MC3 and Zero to Thrive can support them or the families they serve.

MC3 is almost always met with interest and excitement. I often hear moms say they wish something like this had been available during an earlier pregnancy, and those moments really stay with me.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Late in the afternoon, I shift into follow-up mode. I document outreach, reconnect with partners I met during the day and make sure next steps and referrals are clear.

4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

I wrap up by organizing my notes, preparing for upcoming meetings or events, and check in on anything I may have missed. It is also a moment to reflect on the day and all the people I connected with.

Overall, my days are full of meeting incredible moms and truly dedicated professionals. The work can be challenging at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding. 

I genuinely love being out in the community, building relationships, and sharing resources. Every conversation feels like an opportunity to make a difference, and I leave each day knowing that this work matters.

Rena Menke, Ph.D., is a maternal and infant psychologist and the Lead Perinatal Behavioral Health Consultant for MC3’s Perinatal Patient Care service. She was profiled in the Michigan Medicine Headlines as part of its “Day in the Life” series.

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Most people deviate from their goals, but a rare few end up living out their dreams.

Rena Menke, Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, is such a person. She knew starting in 7th grade after taking a psychology class that pursuing psychology was the right path for her.

“I loved thinking about what other people are thinking and feeling,” Menke said. “It made me so curious and wondering about people and developmental stages… wanting to understand people’s motivations, what they’re doing, and where they’re going.”

All of Menke’s work is centered around supporting women and children during the perinatal period, especially patients who present with a history of trauma.

As a clinical psychologist, she wears many hats, including serving as an infant mental health mentor, lead behavioral health consultant with MC3(link is external), and a therapist within the Department of Psychiatry’s Zero to Thrive program.

All that work makes for a busy schedule! Here’s a closer look at one of Menke’s recent days.

8:30 a.m.: Menke arrives at the Rachel Upjohn Building on the east medical campus. After settling in on the second floor, she connects with colleagues via reflective supervision. Reflective supervision provides the time and space to consider thoughts, feelings and experiences that occur within service work. Not only can this practice help reduce bias, but it also allows clinicians an opportunity to be human and attend to reactions in a safe environment.

10 a.m.: As the lead perinatal behavioral health consultant for MC3’s Perinatal Patient Care (PPC) service, Menke attends a meeting with colleagues to discuss administrative tasks supporting the various marketing, outreach and administrative projects they’re working on. The service provides free mental health care to pregnant and postpartum moms in select counties.

11 a.m.: Menke heads to another meeting. During this time she and her colleagues focus on the research and evaluation components of MC3 PPC. They take a deep dive into what and how they’re measuring the impact their treatment is having on patients. Lately, they’ve been discussing how best to assess and track the factors related to social determinants of health. Later in their meeting, they discuss the research publications they’re working on and upcoming conferences where they will present their findings.

Noon: Menke eats her lunch and watches a recent grand rounds recording.

1 p.m.: She meets with another perinatal behavioral health consultant (BHC). Menke meets with each of her fellow BHCs at least once a month. They spend one-on-one meetings discussing barriers, successes and needs within their work.

2 p.m.: Menke prepares for a one-hour virtual presentation she is giving the next day to primary care providers on identifying and supporting families that may be experiencing postpartum depression in pediatric settings. She is excited about helping the attendees to become better equipped to support parents who are struggling.

3 p.m.: It’s time for a virtual therapy session with a pregnant patient who is experiencing anxiety and difficulties paying attention. Menke coaches her on some evidence-based coping techniques including mindfulness to support being in the moment, and cognitive behavioral therapy to identify evidence for and against the anxious thoughts.

4 p.m.: Menke heads to a multidisciplinary team meeting with the Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry clinic. The team includes social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. The focus of the meeting is to think together about supporting patients who are entering care in the Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry Clinic. Care may include referring people to individual or group therapy, medication follow-ups, or connecting to resources within the community. The multidisciplinary nature of the team allows a wide view of strategies to support individuals using patient-centered and evidence-based methods.

5 p.m.: Menke heads down to the first floor of the Rachel Upjohn Building for an appointment with a postpartum mother. Postpartum is an especially vulnerable time for women with a history of depression. Historically, women are underscreened, underdiagnosed and undertreated for postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can affect women and their families socially, developmentally and economically; yet there are very effective treatments for it.

6 p.m.: Menke returns to her office on the second floor. She writes up notes from the two therapy sessions she had that day.

6:30 p.m.: It’s time to make the one-hour commute back to her home. Luckily, it gives her time to listen to one of her favorite podcasts, RadioLab.

At the end of the day, Menke is deeply satisfied and energized by her work:

“I love working with moms and babies! One of my favorite things is to see anxious parents interacting with their babies and doing well, even if they don’t realize they are.”