Transition to Parenting

The Transition to Parenting program is a FREE group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program for parents (mothers) with babies up to 12 months of age or pregnant, who have been feeling one or more of the following: depressed, sad, anxious, worried, angry or overwhelmed.  

During this nine-week series participants will meet in a virtual group setting with a public health nurse and learn skills to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by changing thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Participants will receive a workbook with information and skill building activities to do each week. The program and workbook is offered in English. 

How to Register

Please note: Enrolment is limited at this time. Participation in the HBHC program is required. For information about whether this program is right for you, please speak with your HBHC public health nurse or contact Health Connection: 

Health Connection

Telephone: 1-800-361-5653
TTY: 1-866-512-6228 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)
Email: @email

Where can I go for help?
  • Talk to your health care provider
  • Call a 24-hour crisis line or hotline:
    • Community Crisis Response Service: 1-855-310-COPE (2673) Text 1-855-310-2673 from 7am to midnight   Live chat support 7am-midnight at cope.yssn.ca 

  • Additional supports: 

    • York Region Public Health Connection 1-800-361-5653, TTY: 1-866-512-6228 ; eChat: york.ca/nursechat ; email: @email  

    • Health Connect (formerly Telehealth Ontario) 811, TTY: 1-866-797-0007 

    • Connex Ontario 1-866-531-2600,  ConnexOntario.ca/chat ,  Text "CONNEX" to 247247 

  • York Region offers support for families through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program
How can I take care of myself?
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Rest and take breaks
  • Connect with helpful family members/ friends
  • Allow yourself to ask for help
  • Take time for exercise
  • Take moments for yourself
  • Self-care plan

Your family benefits when you take care of yourself. Time for yourself will give you more energy and patience to provide loving and responsive care.

How can family and friends help?
  • Accept and acknowledge the person’s feelings
  • Offer help in house chores or baby care
  • Encourage the person to rest or exercise
  • Help the person to think positively or focus on positive thoughts
  • Provide support in getting assessment and treatment
  • Partners may need to be aware of their own feelings and self-care

Your acceptance and support means a lot to the person who is struggling with symptoms of anxiety and depression/or perinatal mood disorders.

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myStrength

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