Perinatal Mental Health Support Group
Parenting is challenging at the best of times, without other compounding elements such as having to adjust to another culture, climate and society. This support group offers participants an opportunity to speak and share as much or as little as they wish per session. The group opens with a check in, and unfolds into a sharing circle, with moments to offer feedback and support. Some tools to help manage challenging situations may be shared. A check-in email is sent mid-week to allow participants the chance to reflect on how things are going, and share anything that is on their mind. Each session, we have snacks and warm drinks.
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This group is a judgement free zone to come and share your experiences in early parenting. ALL of you is welcome in the group!
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The support group is trilingual: English, French, and Spanish!
Meet the Facilitator
Millie Tresierra
Millie Tresierra is a community advocate, birth/postpartum doula, and the cofounder of The Family Care Collective. She has been involved in perinatal support and advocacy (education, hands-on support, mental health) for over a decade. She is passionate about creating spaces in which women can come together and find support, mentorship, community and kinship. She has also experienced post-partum depression in her own life, giving her a personal connection to the importance of mental health support. Her motto in life is, "Community is the medicine."
Meet the Childcare Supervisor
Desrean McFarlane
Desrean McFarlane is a longtime teacher and team member of Mother Goose in Montreal. She helps parents to build confidence by helping them bond with their children through the magic of stories and songs. She is also a professional early childhood educator with experience running her own daycare business. We are so grateful to have her as our childcare supervisor for the Post-Partum Mental Health Support Group, so our participants and their little ones can benefit from her vast experience, her warmth, and her positive attitude.
Can I join? How do I do that?
This program is drop-in, so just show up!
Our support group is for: parents of children ages 0 - 5 years old who are in need of support in early parenting. Our support group is ALSO for parents who are still pregnant, and parents who have experienced loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. If you feel overwhelmed, isolated, lonely, anxious, depressed, or are simply in need of community, you are welcome. You don't need any diagnosis to be eligible. ​
When and Where can I find it?
Wednesdays online, 10 am - 11:30 am.
Fridays in person, 9:30 am - 11:30 in the Monkland Community Centre, 4410 Avenue West Hill. Free childcare on site. Snacks and a bus ticket offered to each participant.
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To receive an email with the Zoom link and more detailed directions for how to reach the in-person sessions, fill out the form below:
