Support forums discontinued for new mothers
Catherine Drolet wasn't thriving in her role as a mother after her first son's birth. Struggling with feelings of inadequacy, she came across a support group for new mothers called Les mères-veilleuses. Initially skeptical, she decided to join one of the meetings led by Sandra Juarez, a coordinator at Le Berceau, the perinatal center where the group met.
Eight years later, Catherine still feels grateful for the decision. "Find comfort knowing I wasn't the only one struggling," she confesses. "Seeing that others were living it too made all the difference."
In recent months, the Quebec Network of Perinatal Resource Centers has trained over sixty intervenerns to lead such groups across the province. "We aim to have these support groups available at every CRP," states Marie-Claude Dufour, the Network's general director. Mental health professionals have validated the training content, ensuring these groups respond to new mothers' needs effectively.
Matters at Hand
The topics discussed in these meetings vary, notes Sandra, who helped develop the training and leads groups for 13 years. They range from matrescence (adapting to the new role as a mother), self-esteem, anxiety, depression, to traumatic births. "Relationships within the couple are frequently brought up too, such as discussing the sharing of mental load and communication within the partnership," explains Sandra.
Karine Hebert Landry, the director of Le Berceau, emphasizes the diversity among group attendees. "We've seen everything from new mothers living with anxiety who don't want to be separated from their babies to those who have no feelings of being a parent at all. We all coexist, but we stand together," asserts Sandra Juarez.
Act Early
Some new mothers hesitate to ask for help, noticing that they aren't feeling well after childbirth is typical, believes Sandra Juarez. "The moment you notice small moments where you're not enjoying this, it's having a tough time," she encourages mothers to seek help from support groups at perinatal resource centers at the first signs. "Pregnant women can join too," adds Karine Hebert Landry, hoping this free province-wide service will become increasingly well-known.
Emotional Oasis: Toi, Moi, BébéLast June, the Quebec government launched a digital self-care tool called Toi, Moi, Bébé, focusing on promoting the mental health of new parents. Users can explore the platform's ten modules on topics such as communication within couples, relaxation exercises, and outdoor play activities. The platform has already garnered over 40,000 users in six months and is available in both French and English.
- The support group that Catherine Drolet joined, Les mères-veilleuses, discusses a variety of topics related to family health, mental health, and parenting, including matrescence, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, traumatic births, and relationship dynamics within the couple.
- Mental health professionals have validated the training content for these support groups, ensuring they effectively respond to new mothers' needs, such as those related to science (mental health) and health-and-wellness (family health).
- Sandra Juarez, a coordinator at Le Berceau and a lead group facilitator, encourages new mothers to seek help from support groups at perinatal resource centers at the first signs of struggling, whether it's in regards to their mental health (parenting) or their role as a mother (matrescence).
