A new workshop launching in Mitton Village this March aims to bridge a critical gap in local healthcare: the "discarded wrapper" effect, where support for birthing people often vanishes once the baby arrives. Postpartum Survival & Support will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Radiant Community […]
A new workshop launching in Mitton Village this March aims to bridge a critical gap in local healthcare: the "discarded wrapper" effect, where support for birthing people often vanishes once the baby arrives.
Postpartum Survival & Support will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Radiant Community Centre. The session targets expecting parents and those in the early stages of parenthood who are navigating shifts in identity and mental health.
The workshop is facilitated by Katie Joosten, a registered social worker and certified perinatal mental health professional. Joosten recently opened her private practice, Flourish Perinatal Counselling, to address the lack of specialized emotional support for parents in Sarnia-Lambton.
While the maternity care system provides frequent check-ups for infants, many parents find themselves with only a single clinical visit weeks after birth. This systemic gap often leaves the emotional and relational health of the parents sidelined.
“Often, parents who are struggling carry a great deal of self-judgment or shame,” says Joosten. She notes her role is to help them explore what contributes to their distress and take concrete steps to address it.
The workshop focuses on the reality of the postpartum transition, a period Joosten says is marked by major changes in sleep, body image, and sense of self. It seeks to replace the silence around these struggles with community-based education.
The Radiant Community Centre, located at 109 Mitton Street South, has quickly become a hub for reproductive justice in Sarnia. The centre focuses on birth education and keeping parenting resources accessible to the local community.
“Postpartum mental health struggles are the most common complication of pregnancy, and many parents struggle in silence,” Joosten says. She emphasizes that early education can provide real support and remind parents they are not alone.
The session is designed to be inclusive, welcoming babies and support people. Participants will cover topics including:
In keeping with the centre's mission of low-barrier care, the workshop offers receipts for insurance coverage. Some extended health plans may cover services provided by a Registered Social Worker.
Parents interested in attending can find registration details through Joosten’s website or by contacting the Radiant Community Centre directly at [email protected]
