2024

July 17, 2024 — Perinatal Coping Resources

This past year, I have had the honour of running a perinatal mental health psychotherapy group at the Royal Victoria Hospital. During this time, I've amassed a list of resources for soon-to-be, new, trying, and experienced moms alike, many of which were shared by moms themselves! I thought that I would share these resources here in case they can be of help to anyone:


Multiples services are available to moms at your local CLSC. These services sometimes include respite services designed to give you a few hours off from being a caregiver: https://www.lappui.org/en/practical-advices/navigating-the-administrative-process/the-types-of-services/respite-services/ . Helpers can come to your home to watch your child/children and allow you to take some time off or get things done around the house. Respite services at the CLSC also exist, providing a safe place for you to drop off your child for a certain period (I have most commonly heard of 3-hour periods). Several CLSCs also offer Haltes-Allaitement, a place where you can receive support and connect with other moms and professionals around the topic of breastfeeding. Different CLSCs offer different services, including support groups for parents, workshops, etc. — definitely check out what is available at your local CLSC at the link above!


This is a breastfeeding drop-in, "a friendly place where mothers-to-be, young mothers, fathers and siblings are welcomed to share their breastfeeding experience and receive the support they need." There are drop-in times where you can consult with mentors or health professionals (nurse, lactation consultant, etc.), you can be matched with a breastfeeding mentor, and socialize with other moms. 


This app functions like Tinder, but for connecting moms to one another! Moms rave about it for connecting with other moms in similar situations and have reported so much benefit from connecting and supporting one another.


Several moms have reported that Facebook groups found by writing the specific month that their baby was born in and "in Quebec" (e.g., "January 2024 babies Quebec") are very helpful. This can be a great resource if you do not yet feel ready to connect with other moms in person as it allows you to follow the questions of other moms with babies of a similar age and share resources with one another!


This resource came highly recommended by a few French-speaking moms. Ça Va Maman offers a podcast, magazine, and other resources aimed at supporting maternal mental health.


A few moms raved about this app, saying it provided helpful tips and tricks for each stage of their baby's development (I believe this is a paid app - I have no affiliation to them).


The West Island Women's Center offer various virtual support groups, all free of charge. Note that you do not need to live in the West Island to take part! From their site: "The Women’s Centre’s support groups offer women the psychological and emotional support they need to take up a new challenge, handle a problem, or further develop as individuals. Participants share their experience, support each other, and receive information and advice."


If you are the parent of a child with special needs, some moms have found this group helpful in finding qualified babysitters and child care for these children.


The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre is a charity that offers free virtual services worldwide to those who have experienced perinatal loss.  From their site: "We offer programs to provide support that all parents can access no matter what stage of the family building journey they are in (acute grief, trying to conceive, pregnant after loss, parenting after loss, etc.)"


This foundation offers resources for different types of perinatal loss, including "miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, infertility", etc. Of note, they offer free virtual support groups.


This community organization offers a free in-person perinatal support group (meetings are currently being held on Tuesdays in the NDG neighborhood of Montreal). They offer a range of support services for individuals and families in Montreal relating to reproductive health, mental health, medical care, childcare, work, housing, etc.


Please do not hesitate to contact your family doctor or make a walk-in appointment with a physician at a local clinic (https://bonjour-sante.ca/uno/clinique) so that you can be put in touch with appropriate public resources (e.g., social work or psychology) if you think you are struggling or think you could benefit from extra support. If it is an option for you, you may also get in touch directly with a psychologist (https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/) in the private sector. Motherhood presents important challenges to all, and raising children has historically been a community affair — you are not meant to do it alone!


April 23, 2024 — Award for Top Cited Article of 2022—2023

As a researcher, I have always hoped to conduct relevant, high-impact work that would be of interest and use to the community. I take this award for the Top Cited Article 2022—2023 from the Journal of Infant and Child Development as a sign of being on the right track! I feel grateful to be a tiny part of a large movement of scientists helping to advance our understanding of how to best support bilinguals and their learning!



March 11, 2024 — Now Published:  "Reading in two languages: Parents' strategy and language use across book formats during bilingual shared reading" (with links to paper and preprint)

Our newest paper, "Reading in two languages: Parents' strategy and language use across book formats during bilingual shared reading," has been published in the Bilingual Research Journal! 


February 16, 2024 — Internship Match Day

I am overjoyed to have matched to my first-choice residency program at the McGill University Health Center! I look forward to completing the final leg of my doctoral training in this cutting-edge clinical setting, working on the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit team at the Montreal General Hospital and the Chronic Viral Illness Service team at the Royal Victoria Hospital. I am truly honoured to get to continue serving the Montreal community. A warm congratulations to all my colleagues who have also matched to internships!