Dozens of Sarnia residents rallied for mothers with postpartum depression Wednesday morning.
They gathered outside the London Road Superstore to protest provincial funding cuts to PPD services in Sarnia, specifically those at St. Clair Child and Youth.
Organizer Courtney Ledgerwood said if it wasn't for St. Clair's Post Partum Adjustment Program, she might not be here today.
"My anxiety was at the point where I was questioning myself and if my family would be better of without me, and that's the anxiety and the postpartum depression talking, and that was when I knew I needed help," said Ledgerwood. "So because of that program, I'm here today, and I was able to build better relationships with my baby, others kids, and husband as well."
Fellow organizer Kassey Thalmann said the alternative for mothers with PPD is to seek help from Bluewater Health or their family doctor.
She said those services don't provide the same support the Child and Youth program does.
"You meet with the doctor if there is no crisis nurse available on call. It's great to have in case of an emergency if St. Clair is not open, but the program at St. Clair is much more welcoming," said Thalmann. "My anxiety has never really left me, so I attend the drop-in that's merged with the EarlyON service in Sarnia as well as St. Clair, so I always have access to staff, I can visit once in a while as well, and I know that I have access to referrals if I need them."
The program helps about 200 mothers in the community each year.
Ledgerwood and Thalmann are encouraging anyone that supports their cause to contact Sarnia-Lambton Conservative MPP Bob Bailey, or St. Clair Child and Youth Services.
Protest against provincial funding cuts for postpartum services. June 5, 2019.
