GROUP PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
PWO provides free group peer support to people experiencing a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD). Our Virtual Drop-in Peer Support Group is for pregnant people and parents seeking peer support in a group setting. The aim of the group is for peers to provide and receive support around Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), challenges with parenting and other challenges that present in the perinatal period. PWO facilitates a group that is welcoming, non-judgmental, and compassionate in order to be able to share authentically about our struggles. Our virtual drop-in peer support group is co-facilitated by two of our wonderful peer support volunteers; Anneke van den Berg and Lisette Weber.
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This group runs bi-weekly on Mondays at 7:30pm ET on Zoom. Our next group dates are:
Sep 23, 2024
Oct 7, 2024
Oct 21, 2024
Nov 4, 2024
Nov 18, 2024
Dec 2, 2024
Dec 16, 2024
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To register for group please fill out the application form below:
Please note: If completing this application is a barrier to participating in the Virtual Drop-in Group, or you would like to apply over the phone, please email annekepwo@gmail.com to set up an appointment.
Our groups do not include crisis support. Our peer support groups are meant to provide support in addition to any professional supports you access and are not meant to be in place of a therapeutic support group, individual therapy or support from a healthcare practitioner. We encourage all our peers to explore a treatment plan that is holistic in approach including mental health therapy, medication, and lifestyle interventions, to name a few. If you are in crisis, please contact the Canada Crisis Number 1.833.456.4566/Text line 45645; https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
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Please feel free to come as you are, in your sweats, with a cup of tea or however you like! Babies are very welcome to attend and please do not hesitate to attend to whatever you need to during group time. For your own confidentiality, and for the confidentiality of the group we do ask that other adults are not in the same room as you while you attend group or that you are using headphones so that other people cannot hear the conversations. Feel free to share as much or as little as you’d like or just come and observe until you are more comfortable to share. The focus of the group is to provide support, share ideas for coping and help each other feel seen, heard and less alone.
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