You've Been There for Your Baby. Let Us Be There for You.
The NICU journey can leave an emotional impact that lasts long after a baby comes home. But while so much attention is focused on the baby, who's looking after the parents?
For many families, premature birth brings an unexpected world of medical terminology, difficult decisions, uncertainty and worry. Days become weeks or months spent navigating the NICU, balancing hope with fear and trying to find a sense of normalcy.
After discharge, those feelings don't necessarily disappear.
Some parents experience anxiety, sadness or overwhelming stress. Others find themselves processing their NICU experience months or even years later. Many simply put their own needs aside while caring for their child.
We believe parents deserve care and support, too.
That's why we're offering free mental health and peer support resources designed specifically for families who have experienced the NICU.
Find the Support That's Right for You
No two NICU journeys are the same, and neither are the ways families process their experiences.
CPBF's free virtual Parent Care groups offer a range of supportive spaces where parents and caregivers can connect with others who understand, share experiences and develop tools to support their emotional well-being.
Our current offerings include:
Preemie Parent Collective: A six-week program combining grief and trauma coaching with peer support.
Beyond the NICU: A supportive space to process lingering stress, build confidence and connect with others navigating life after discharge.
THRIVE: Exploring practical tools and gentle practices to support emotional well-being during and after the NICU.
6 Weeks of Healing: A trauma-informed group offering strategies for processing difficult experiences and developing coping tools.
Support Group Following NICU: Helping parents understand their NICU experiences, manage anxiety and build confidence.
NICU Loss: A dedicated grief and trauma support group for parents and caregivers who have experienced the death of a baby in the NICU.
Parents Supporting NICU Graduates with Medical Procedures: Helping families support children facing ongoing or future medical procedures, surgeries or hospitalizations.
For those who prefer something less structured, CPBF also offers a free weekly virtual drop-in peer support group, providing a welcoming space to connect without committing to a multi-week program.
Groups are facilitated by experienced professionals and parent supporters, with eligibility and availability varying by program.
You don't need to have a diagnosis or be in crisis to participate. And you don't need to feel comfortable sharing everything right away. Sometimes, simply listening to others who understand can be a meaningful first step.
Five Free One-on-One Counselling Sessions
Sometimes, a private conversation with a mental health professional is what feels right.
Through our partnership with GreenShield Cares, CPBF is helping eligible mothers and individuals who identify as women or gender-diverse access five free, confidential, virtual mental health sessions with qualified counsellors.
Available in multiple languages, this program is designed to help reduce financial and other barriers to mental health care.
If you live in Canada and are experiencing limited access to mental health services or financial barriers to obtaining care, we encourage you to explore your eligibility.
There's no cost for eligible participants, and sessions can be accessed virtually through GreenShield's secure platform.
You don't have to wait until you're overwhelmed to reach out.
These resources are free, they're designed with NICU families in mind, and they're here for you.
If you know a parent who might benefit, please share this information.
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