New postpartum support program to launch in Oxford and Elgin Counties this fall

A new program to support moms struggling with mood disorders during and after pregnancy is coming to smaller southwestern Ontario communities this fall.

Balanced Beginning is a free program that uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help pregnant individuals or mothers with a child younger than 18 months, who are having mental health challenges. No referrals from family doctors are needed to participate. 

Southwestern Public Health's (SWPH) Healthy Babies, Healthy Children team is launching the program in September for parents in Oxford and Elgin Counties, and St. Thomas.

"The beginning of motherhood and the early years are such significant times for families and mental health disorders aren't a weakness or anyone's wrongdoing," said Kate Andrews, a nurse with SWPH. 

"Balanced Beginnings will provide support to shift the heaviness of postpartum mood disorders and families will gain helpful skills to create space for those key parenting moments." 

In virtual sessions spanning nine weeks, individuals will be part of a group of 10, where they will learn skills to manage distressing thoughts, with a focus on goal setting and celebrating achievements. 

The perinatal period includes pregnancy and postpartum. Mood disorder symptoms can range from depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, along with difficulties eating or sleeping and caring for oneself and their child. 

"CBT is one of the most effective ways to treat postpartum mood disorders because if we're able to interrupt feelings causing those negative thoughts by changing the ways we're processing them, it can lead to lifelong change and improvement," said Andrews. 

CBT is a form of psychotherapy helping clients identify, question and change thoughts, attitudes and beliefs related to emotional and behavioural reactions causing them difficulties. 

Emily Dietrich, 32, of St. Catharines, Ont., struggled with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder when her then one-month-old son Jack was hospitalized for bacterial meningitis at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in May, 2020.

Dietrich took part in a similar program at Niagara Region Public Health in a study phase with McMaster University in 2021.

"It was definitely a very dark time, but the tools I learned were so helpful because it really teaches you to reframe negative thoughts," she said. 

Group model creates lifelong connections

Strategies Dietrich learned involved challenging certain thoughts and questioning if they make sense and where they stem from. She continued using those skills months after the program ended and is now in a much better place with her mental health. 

Postpartum mood disorders have been on the rise, especially since the pandemic, and patients would previously have to travel to London for treatment services, Andrews said.

"There's a real lack of family physicians in our areas and many people wouldn't be able to access service if they had to wait to get referred to us by a doctor," she said. "This makes it much more timely which can make a big difference in your recovery."

Andrews believes the program's group model will be its strength because it allows for peer support that can eventually transform into lifelong friendships, she said.

It also helped Dietrich a lot more than she anticipated. She was initially hesitant to participate in group sessions but felt grateful to have support from others in similar situations, she said. 

 "It was very isolating going through something traumatic and having postpartum depression during the pandemic," she said. "It really helped me feel less alone."

SWPH has virtual sessions available on Sept. 20 and Oct. 17 and enrolment can be done online.