From Struggle to Strength: How Home Visiting Changed My Postpartum Journey

By Tanika Campbell, Community Relations Coordinator, Columbus Public Health

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When I had my fourth child, I checked all the boxes—educated, employed, and experienced as a mother. I had a background in Early Childhood Development, a steady career, and a deep love for my children. On the outside, everything looked fine. But inside, I was silently struggling. The emotional weight of postpartum depression—undiagnosed at the time—was overwhelming. That personal experience is what fuels my passion for advocating greater funding and access to home visiting services. Every mother deserves support, no matter her background, income, or education level.

 

A Lifeline During a Critical Time

In 2021, I was a participant in Moms and Babies First, a home visiting program through Columbus Public Health. This experience changed my life. Having a home visitor show up with compassion, guidance, and culturally competent support gave me the space to breathe and the tools to heal.

Home visiting is not just for first-time or low-income mothers. It’s for any mother navigating the profound shifts of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life. The emotional and physical demands are real, and far too often, women—especially Black women—are left to navigate them alone.

 

From Client to Advocate

After participating in Moms and Babies First, I was inspired to give back. In 2022, I became a Community Relations Coordinator for the same program. By 2023, I was promoted to serve in the My Baby and Me program, another home visiting initiative aimed at supporting families in Franklin County. I now use my platform to connect mothers to services, reduce stigma around mental health, and advocate for systemic change.

Through this work, I’ve seen firsthand the power of early intervention and consistent, compassionate support. I’ve also seen how gaps in funding and accessibility disproportionately impact the very families who need these services most.

 

The Equity Imperative

As a member of Queens Village Columbus, a Black-women led initiative focused on maternal and child health equity, I am deeply committed to ensuring that Black women receive the care and respect they deserve. Our mission is to shift the conditions that contribute to persistent disparities in maternal-child outcomes—conditions that home visiting programs can directly address.

We believe in providing supportive tools that respond to the social determinants of health. That includes accessible mental health care, culturally responsive education, and advocacy spaces where Black mothers can find community and strength. Home visiting services are a key part of this vision.

 

Investing in Stronger Families

Postpartum challenges don’t discriminate. Even with degrees and a strong support system, I needed help. I needed someone to see me—to really see what I was going through and to help me navigate those invisible challenges. That’s what home visiting did for me, and it’s what it can do for so many others.

We must continue investing in home visiting services that center the experiences of mothers, particularly Black mothers, whose needs have been historically overlooked. These programs save lives. They support healthy development for children and empower mothers to thrive—not just survive.

 

A Call to Action

To policymakers, funders, and community leaders: Let’s prioritize maternal mental health and family support by investing in what works. Let’s ensure that every mother—regardless of her zip code, income, or education—has access to the support she needs during one of the most vulnerable times in her life.

Because when mothers thrive, children do too.

View Groundwork Ohio’s Policy Agenda.

Tanika Campbell is a Community Relations Coordinator with Columbus Public Health. She holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Development, a bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University, and a master’s in Business Administration from Franklin University. As a mother of four and a member of Queens Village Columbus, she is passionate about empowering Black mothers through advocacy, education, and compassionate care.