Sudbury mom supporting others through Facebook group
Mercedes Clouthier said she started the group Sudbury Mom Hangouts on Facebook so she could meet and connect with other mothers.
What started out as a group of 20 people has now grown to over 500 members.
Clouthier is a mother of two. Her stepdaughter Lexi is four and she had her son, Max, 8 months ago. Having a child during a pandemic has been anything but easy.
"Everybody expects you to be happy and so blessed because you have babies because not all women get to experience that, but they don’t realize in reality that many women are in a discouraging place and they don’t know where or who to turn to and that is why the group was created," Clouthier said.
A study published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found mental health visits by new mothers in Ontario increased 30 per cent during the pandemic compared to previous years, with a noticeable bump occurring within the first three months after giving birth. Clouthier said she isn’t surprised at all by those numbers and it’s a topic that is not talked about enough.
According to the study, postpartum mental illness affects as many as one in five mothers and it said during the pandemic, people have had difficulty accessing extended postpartum support networks and community programs that protect against mental illness including:
- home visits from public health nurses
- breastfeeding clinics
- support groups
Officials at the hospital in Sudbury want the community to know that the perinatal mental health program remains open and available.
"The Perinatal Mental Health Program at Health Sciences North (HSN) provides mental health services for new mothers experiencing depression and anxiety from 28-weeks of pregnancy up to 12 months after the baby is born. There have been 84 referrals to this program in 2020/2021 compared with 74 in 2019/2020. Mothers can self-refer to this program or can be referred through their family doctor, midwife, obstetrician, or from a community agency or mental health professional. New mothers can also access external support programs in the community through Public Health Sudbury and Districts, the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre and NISA, the Northern Initiative for Social Action," said Jason Turnbull, communications manager at HSN.
The CMAJ study looked at 137,609 postpartum mental health visits to both family physicians and psychiatrists in Ontario from March through November 2020, with researchers collecting data on age, the number of children, neighbourhood income and ethnic diversity, and region of residence.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.