Chigamik launches Indigenous perinatal mental-health program in Midland
The Chigamik Community Health Centre has launched a new perinatal mental-health program to serve Indigenous communities in north Simcoe and Muskoka.
Through this program, expectant mothers and their families will have access to mental, emotional and spiritual support including a personalized care plan, counselling, health education and navigation to a number of Indigenous resources at Chigamik and externally.
“Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any time and it disrupts life not just for mothers, but for the entire family,” said Jodi Blue, Indigenous perinatal mental-health worker at Chigamik. “I look forward to working with local families to provide the support and resources needed for good emotional health of mom, baby and family.”
Unlike some mainstream North American treatment models, the goal of the Indigenous perinatal mental-health program is to promote good mental health based on the medicine wheel. The program encompasses the whole person in mind, body and spirit and focuses on being connected to family, community and nature.
The service will provide help navigating the system, housing support, baby/parenting supplies, counselling, access to a dietician and healthy food, traditional healing ceremonies, primary care, Indigenous doula and midwifery, and support groups.
“The Indigenous perinatal mental-health program is so important in our community because we know Ingenious families in remote areas don’t have access to perinatal services that are culturally relevant to customs and beliefs,” said David Jeffery, executive director of the Chigamik Community Health Centre. “This program will give parents and families across the region access to support when they need it most, which could prevent more serious mental-health issues.”
The Indigenous perinatal mental-health program is free and available to anyone who self-identifies as First nation, Métis or Inuit across north Simcoe Muskoka, on or off reserve.
Services will be offered at the main Chigamik Community Health Centre clinic at in Midland. They will then transition over to the new Chigamik/Waypoint Community Health Hub, which is currently being constructed on Bayshore Drive.
For more information and to book an appointment, please contact Jodi Blue at ,ext. 232.