Free Resources

Asking for help

As mothers, we may be expected or feel the need to do it all…but you do not always have to wear all the hats or be in it alone!

No one gives you a handbook when your child is born – and each child is different, so even experienced parents may be looking for answers. Asking for help may not come naturally to you, and we get that. But it is perfectly acceptable to do so! It is so important for you to be healthy and well-supported during this period – for yourself and for your growing family.

To help you do this, we have listed various free resources below that you may find helpful in your journey.

Home visits

This program is a home visiting program where parents are connected with a public health nurse and a family visitor. Healthy Babies Healthy Children provides eligible families with information, support and connections to community resources. It is offered during pregnancy, postpartum, and until children start school.

Support with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)

PSI is a non-profit organization which supports anyone suffering from perinatal mental mood and anxiety disorders. They offer various free resources including helplines, support groups, local coordinators who can guide you to community resources, and much more.

PWO is a non-profit organization that provides direct support to parents and people who are experiencing or have symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. They offer low/no cost therapy programs and peer support groups.

The Reproductive Life Stages program provides assessment and short-term treatment for individuals experiencing new or recurrent mental health problems during the reproductive life stages (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum and the menopausal transition).

General support groups

Mother Matters is an 8-week online support group run by the Mental Health Program at Women’s College Hospital. It takes place on a confidential discussion board, giving you the opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, while learning from and supporting other birthing parents. Each week a new topic is explored, relating to issues that commonly emerge during the first year of life with a new baby.

This open virtual support group is for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression and/or or would like support with coping with a newborn. This group is for individuals following the birth of their baby and up to one year postpartum. You do not need to be an NYGH patient to attend the group.

Nutrition

This article is one of many available at UnlockFood.ca, which is a bilingual, award-winning website created by Dietitians of Canada. UnlockFood.ca helps Canadians connect with a dietitian and find the nutrition and food information that they need when they need it.

Baby development and safety

The LookSee Checklist is an easy-to-use developmental tool that features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities with tips to help them grow.

This information is provided from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and explains steps that you can take to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other infant deaths that happen during sleep time.

Getting out of the house

EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals. EarlyON Centres are open to all families in Ontario.

Helpful phone numbers

Health Connect Ontario (formerly Telehealth) (811)
Health Connection York Region (1-800-361-5653)
PSI Helpline (1-800-944-4773)
Canada Suicide Prevention Service (988)
Canadian Crisis Line (1-833-456-4566)
911

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