Mental Health Services in Moncton

Parents have a doubly important role when it comes to promoting mental health; we must take care of ourselves and our children.

One in five Canadians deals with some form of mental illness or disorder – and that is not a statistic exclusive to adults. As parents, we are not only responsible for recognizing our own mental health needs, but also those of our children.

It might sound cliché, but the first step in taking care of others really is taking care of yourself. If you’re struggling with emotions, everything becomes harder. You might really cry over spilled milk. Ear plugs might not be enough to stop the baby’s cries from ringing in your ears. The sound of your partner breathing might set your teeth on edge. You might walk out the door one day and wonder if you’ll be back.

Up to 12% of mothers suffer from depression; it is a strong and responsible mother who can ask for and accept help. Fathers can also experience on onset of depression or anxiety after a child enters the family; this is not just an issue for one parent, it is an issue for everyone.

If you are dealing with postpartum depression, please speak to your family doctor about potential ways to address this situation. (If you do not have a doctor, please call Public Health at 856-2401.) If your employer, or your partner’s employer, offers an Employee Assistance Program, you may be able to access counseling and support programs through EAP.

There is a postpartum depression and anxiety support group that meets under the umbrella of the Early Childhood Family Resource Centre. For information on when and where the group meets, please contact Veronique or Melanie at 830-3600 or 384-7874 or by email.

The Horizon Health Network shares information about postpartum depression on their website, including this video that features information on symptoms, risk factors, support resources, and treatment options.

The Moncton office of the Canadian Mental Health Association offers a variety of programs that support individuals and families dealing with all sorts of mental health illnesses and disorders. A great resource available through CMHA is the Kids Have Stress, Too! Program; their fact sheet offers some suggestions for identifying and addressing stress with your children.

The Atlantic Wellness Community Center offers no-charge professional counseling to youth ages 12-21, and works to improve mental health services for young people in our community. The center, a registered charity, has helped approximately 500 young men and women access therapy in the last five years.

Take the time to talk today. Ask your child how they’re feeling and listen, really listen, to the answer. Ask your friend or your partner if they’re struggling with anything. Ask yourself.

“And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, ‘

This is important! And this is important! And this is important!

You need to worry about this! And this! And this!'”

And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “

No. This is what’s important.'”

~ Iain Thomas