In Calgary’s northeast, a small non-profit has a unique way to fight postpartum depression and anxiety.
Called Porridge with Love, the program from the Immigrant Outreach Society is modelled on cultural traditions from Ethiopia.
They hold a special prayer and ceremony at the mother’s house within days of the birth, then 15 volunteers — many of them mothers and seniors in the community — sign up to cook, clean and take her to vaccinations or just to come over and have coffee.
Doctors who work in this field are impressed.
“That is just fantastic. I’m just so impressed because social isolation is huge,” said Dr. Deirdre Ryan, B.C.-based co-founder of the Canadian Alliance for Maternal Mental Health. “It would be lovely if (programs like this) were all over the country.”
The alliance estimates up to 20 per cent of new moms experience mood and anxiety disorders after birth.
Some of the volunteers with Immigrant Outreach Society join a celebration to welcome a new baby and support the mother. (Submitted by Adanech Sahilie)
She said rates are significantly higher for newcomers, who often experience trauma before or during the journey here and leave behind their family support network.
The time during and after pregnancy is one of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life, with hormones, sleeplessness, stress and increased responsibility. And it can also grow into something more serious: a sense of tearfulness, loss of joy and appetite, and at the extreme end psychosis and suicidal thougths.
Adanech Sahilie leads the Immigrant Outreach Society. She said Porridge with Love started four years ago, when she and others were shocked by the number of newcomers who ended up in hospital because of mental health challenges.
She also noticed how isolating the experience of parenting can be in Canada and decided to try to replicate the best of the traditions from Ethiopia.
“Back home, when a mom gets pregnant, everybody — even neighbours and villagers — will come and help prepare porridge, oats, anything that she can use. But when you come to Canada, like, you don’t have that much support,” Sahilie said.
Traditional barley porridge is served with chili-flavoured melted butter. (Elise Stolte/CBC)
Now they have 169 volunteers and they help up to four mothers a month, supporting them for a few weeks to several months and longer, depending on what they need.
“They take responsibility (for the mother), taking her to any vaccinations or giving help with groceries,” Sahilie said.
It’s simple, but it works, she said.
“We have this support network to fill the gaps. So this Porridge with Love really, really minimizes postpartum depression. (It’s one of) my favourite programs because, like, you see your fruit right away. Some of the mothers even become volunteers.”
Sahilie invited CBC Calgary to a welcome celebration for one mom in a small basement suite in northeast Calgary.
Before the rest of the guests arrived, Edom Gebremichael was toasting barley flour for porridge in the kitchen.
“That’s the best flour, especially for breastfeeding mothers,” she said. They toast it, then add salt and water and keep cooking until it’s smooth. Then they serve it with a deep well in the centre filled with chili-flavoured melted butter.
Gebremichael said she volunteers regularly because she remembers what it was like the first time she gave birth.
Edom Gebremichael toasts barley flour to make a traditional porridge, considered to be very healthy for breastfeeding mothers. (Elise Stolte/CBC)
“It was difficult for me. Nobody was there, just me and my husband. It was in Ontario, not in Calgary,” she said. “You feel loneliness. I would watch movies and then just play with the baby, just talk to him.
“But for my second one, I was here in Calgary,” she said. “Oh my God. All my friends, cousins — it was a big celebration for me.”
The basement suite was decorated with gold cloth, and with traditional items from Ethiopia — woven baskets and stringed instruments.
When the parents — mother Ruhama Alemu and father Alemneh Aligaz — came out of their bedroom for the guests, they were greeted with cheers and wrapped in traditional black and gold cloaks.
Alemu had tears in her eyes.
“I don’t even have words. It’s so amazing,” she said.
The couple arrived as refugees one month before the ceremony, when Alemu was already eight months pregnant.
They had been staying in a refugee camp in Kenya for three years before getting permission to come. They also have a five-year-old son, Peniel.
Women share a taste of the traditional Ethiopian barley porridge as part of the celebration for a new mother in Calgary. (Elise Stolte/CBC)
“It was tough. It was tough and I was so stressed and anxious about the country,” she said. “I didn’t even get a health-care provider. I was rejected by some of the health-care providers because (they said it was) too late in the pregnancy.”
Several clinics suggested she should just go to emergency when her labour started, but the outreach society eventually helped her find a doctor to be assigned and support her care. Her baby was born healthy. They named her Yohana.
Volunteers have also helped gather equipment for the baby: a stroller and car seat.
Ryan said awareness of postpartum depression and anxiety has been increasing in recent years, leading to more women getting screened and treated.
Her organization has also seen a benefit from the increase in virtual options for health appointments, which came about as a result of the pandemic. It means a mother with multiple kids can get help without worrying about child care and transportation.
Baby Yohana Alemneh Amare was born one month after her family arrived in Calgary. (Submitted by Adanech Sahilie)
“Postpartum depression is common but it’s also very treatable,” she said.
Group therapy and counselling can help, and for more serious cases, there are medications that are safe for breastfeeding mothers.
Dr. Rachel Talavlikar, a physician with the Calgary Refugee Health Program, said she’s impressed with the Immigrant Outreach Society program.
She said trauma, isolation, stress and a history of depression or mental illness are risk factors for postpartum anxiety and depression, but even mothers without those risk factors can suffer.
One study local to Alberta found roughly 15 per cent of mothers have impacts that are serious enough to be diagnosed, she said.
“If you look at the immigrant and newcomer communities, those rates are up to five times higher. It’s one of those things that is common yet also easy to miss.”
“People who have a village or something they can go to for support do better.… It certainly needs to be taken seriously.”
Sharing Knowledge: An invitation to all local East African communities. (Lianne Sabourin/CBC)
Last fall, CBC Calgary launched a new community project with local East African community members. This included a workshop to help young adults to tell stories of importance to their community and a joint celebration organized with community leaders.
Read more at cbc.ca/sharingknowledge and check out other reporting sparked by this partnership.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
