Maternal Mental Health
Communities in NorthWestern Ontario
In many First Nations communities, the health services needed to enable childbirth in the communities do not exist, and so women must be medically evacuated to urban centres to deliver their child. This is the case for the First Nations mothers who come from communities in the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority zone in Northwestern Ontario. The objective of this research was to identify needs and perceptions of potential programs that could be established to support the well-being of new parents and their relationships with their babies.
We interviewed new mothers, elders, and health workers. We asked about existing barriers to mental health, what resources were currently available, and how traditional practices might be incorporated to improve the health of mothers and their newborns.
Based on information shared during the interviews, we created pamphlets that highlighted traditional practices and outlined resources available to new mothers. Our next phase is to work with a local advisory group to consider potential programs to support new mothers that are rooted in traditional cultural practices and will promote mental health.
We interviewed new mothers, elders, and health workers. We asked about existing barriers to mental health, what resources were currently available, and how traditional practices might be incorporated to improve the health of mothers and their newborns.
Based on information shared during the interviews, we created pamphlets that highlighted traditional practices and outlined resources available to new mothers. Our next phase is to work with a local advisory group to consider potential programs to support new mothers that are rooted in traditional cultural practices and will promote mental health.
Project Findings
In April 2019, we presented our findings at the Faculty of Science Research Day 2019 at Carleton University: