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
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'