Join Flora’s Walk in support of perinatal mental health at River Mill Park in Huntsville this Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m.
This will be Huntsville’s second walk, but fourth for Flora’s Walk overall across Canada, explained organizer Monique Gould-Keen.
Perinatal refers to the time period from conception to one year postpartum and beyond. One in five mothers and one in 10 fathers struggle with perinatal mental health issues during that time, including prenatal and/or postpartum depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.
“Unfortunately, less than 15% of people receive treatment in Canada. Canada does not have a national perinatal mental health strategy, unlike the UK, Australia, and the US, in providing quality and timely perinatal mental health care,” noted Gould-Keen.
She said there isn’t enough support for moms and their families. She said women who have a baby are released from their physician’s care at 6-8 weeks postpartum, “and that’s the only time they really ask you in-depth how you are coping and feeling. Meanwhile, your hormones are wild, and postpartum depression/ anxiety, etc., don’t always happen early on. They can start as late as one year postpartum. If you don’t know what signs to look out for, how are you supposed to know if you need help or support?
“I would love to see this issue being addressed by just letting people know what perinatal mental health can look like. There are so many different conditions to look out for like anxiety, depression, psychosis, Mom rage. The list goes on.”
Monique Gould-Keen said she would also to see communities offering more professionals capable of helping these women and their families at a more reasonable price. “Not everyone is able to afford to seek help let alone know where to look for the help. Which is why 70 % [of] the funds we’re raising are going to Christine’s Place Muskoka.”
You can find more information on their Facebook page.
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It’s still pretty muddy at River Mill Park from all the clean-up due to the dismantling of the skating rink.