Flora’s Walk: Compassion, Connection, and Community Awareness of Maternal Mental Health
Each May, communities across Canada come together for Flora’s Walk—the nation’s largest perinatal mental health fundraiser.
This initiative not only raises essential funds but also fosters awareness and solidarity among families navigating the emotional and psychological shifts that often accompany new parenthood.
Since its launch in 2022, Flora’s Walk has empowered over 100 organizations to offer accessible support groups and therapy services to individuals and families facing perinatal mental health challenges (canadahelps.org).
As an occupational therapist and mother of three, I know that welcoming a baby is both profound and complex. Joy and love often coexist with overwhelm, fatigue, grief, and self-doubt. The perinatal period—a term that includes pregnancy and the first year postpartum — is a vulnerable time. With such a shift physically, emotionally, and mentally, it’s so important that we speak about maternal mental health with honesty and compassion.
Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) refer to a group of mental health conditions that may arise during pregnancy and after birth. This includes:
Prenatal and/or postpartum depression
Generalized anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Panic disorder
Bipolar disorder
Postpartum psychosis
In Canada, 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experience a perinatal mental health challenge during the first year after their child is born (statcan.gc.ca). Despite how common these challenges are, less than 15% of individuals receive treatment. And Canada, to date, does not have a national perinatal mental health strategy (postpartum.net | jogc.com).
Common Signs of PMADs
Not all distress is obvious. PMADs can present differently from person to person, and they can sometimes be mistaken for normal "new parent exhaustion." Here are five evidence-based signs to be aware of:
Persistent low mood or sadness that doesn’t seem to lift
Intense or chronic anxiety, including worry that interferes with daily functioning
Sleep and appetite disturbances not attributable to infant care
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
Difficulty bonding with or feeling connected to your baby
The “baby blues,” which affect up to 80% of new mothers, typically resolve within two weeks and don’t impair functioning or your ability to care for your baby (Carlson et al, 2025). If symptoms persist or are significant, it’s time to reach out for help. PMADs are treatable, and support is available.
Strategies for Supporting Maternal Mental Health
Supporting mental wellness in the perinatal period is not about “fixing” yourself—it's about being resourced, supported, and seen. Here are a few evidence-informed strategies that can help:
Access professional support
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and in some cases, medication, are all options. The key is to seek care that aligns with your unique needs and values with the help of your primary health care provider.Prioritize sleep and rest
Fragmented sleep is part of early parenting, but finding small ways to protect rest—even if it’s not at night—can help reduce overwhelm and improve emotional regulation. Finding ways to make it easier to respond to your baby at night, and maximizing your own sleep during your baby’s longest stretch of sleep can help significantly.Lean on your community
Whether it’s a postpartum group, a virtual peer connection, or a trusted friend, community can buffer the intensity of this transition. You’re not meant to do this alone.Establish flexible routines
Structure and rhythm—when responsive and gentle—can support your mental well-being without adding pressure. This is different than a rigid schedule, which can contribute to anxiety. Start with developing a routine for just one part of your day (e.g. bedtime routine), rather than trying to straighten out your whole day all at once.Normalize the need for help
Help isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. That includes mental health care, meals delivered, someone to hold the baby while you shower, and everything in between. As Fred Rogers so famously said, “Look for the helpers”.
Building a Village: Adapting to Motherhood with Support
Adjusting to motherhood is not a linear process. It can feel like a full-body and full-heart transformation. Alongside joy, there can be grief, uncertainty, and disorientation. None of that means you're doing it wrong.
We adapt best when we feel safe, understood, and supported. To support this adaptation, consider:
Joining local or online postpartum groups
Participating in events like Flora’s Walk to connect with like-minded families
Naming the hard things with people who won’t rush to fix them
Reframing self-care as community care, rest, and boundaries—not performance
Closing Thoughts
You are not alone. Perinatal mental health conditions are common and treatable. The more we talk about this, the more we dismantle shame and isolation.
By walking together at Flora’s Walk, sharing resources, and building community, we create a culture where every parent knows they’re not supposed to have it all figured out—and they don’t have to go through it alone.
For more information and support: