Regina hosts first 'Flora's Walk' in support of perinatal mental health
Sunday marked the first time that Regina has taken part in the event that originated out of Ontario following the death of a new mother.
Flora Babakhani was a single mother in Toronto who struggled with postpartum psychosis after giving birth to her daughter, Amber. Flora eventually died by suicide on January 14th, 2022, two months after Amber was born.
Following the tragic event, Flora’s loved ones, along with the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative created a walk in her memory to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
“At the time, we had very little government involvement in maternal mental health. So they started the collaborative in 2022 and the walk soon after that,” event organizer Loreli Palandri told CTV News.
“As an owner of ‘From Seed to Sprout’ and as a registered nurse who works with perinatal mental health and just perinatal people, we really wanted to bring this to Regina because we know that it is something that is super important. It is not talked about enough. The more that we feel comfortable talking about it, the more everyone else will feel comfortable talking about it.”
Palandri is one of the two nurses who recently founded From Seed to Sprout which is a perinatal clinic that works to provide education and other tools to help new parents, an area which she saw a need for more resources.
“Women’s health or paternal health in general is kind of just not cared about as much, which is crazy because we all came from a mother and we need healthy, thriving parents to raise healthy, thriving children,” she added.
According to the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collective, 23 per cent of mothers in Canada reported feelings consistent with postpartum depression or an anxiety disorder.
Additionally, a 2021 survey conducted by the organization, 95 per cent of healthcare providers believe that current perinatal mental health services are insufficient in Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Fort McMurray evacuees welcomed home Saturday as crews make progress on wildfire
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Aid from new pier off Gaza should be distributed this weekend, while pressure grows on Netanyahu
The first distribution of badly needed aid is expected to begin this weekend after rolling off a newly built U.S. pier off the coast of Gaza, even as aid workers warn much more access is needed to the besieged territory where famine might be under way.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.