Health Experiences Research Canada

HERC aims to bring people's lived experiences to the web, giving an inside look on what it's really like to live with a health condition or to care for someone.

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

If you/a loved one is struggling with #perinatalmentalhealth:
• Call 911 in an emergency
• Call/text 988 if immediate risk of harm
• Call 811 for free, confidential health advice

Our website also features lived experiences of perinatal mental health: https://t.co/v611mvlDV6

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

“I knew #postpartumdepression existed...but what I didn’t know was that #postpartumanxiety was also a disease", shared Michelle.

Sharing stories like Michelle’s helps broaden how we understand #perinatal #mentalhealth. Learn more in our latest module: https://t.co/v611mvlDV6

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Hope shared her experience with #perinatalmentalhealth, “I wish I would've known that intrusive thoughts are a thing.” #Intrusivethoughts can be frightening, but hearing lived experiences helps replace fear with understanding. For more: https://t.co/1FqCuXZ7Pk

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

“I didn’t feel the attachment, I did not feel the explosion of phenomenal joy...it scared me.”

Hope describes her experience w/ #perinatalmentalhealth and attachment after #birth. These experiences are more common than people are told.

Learn more: https://t.co/v611mvlDV6

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Perinatal mental health affects individuals, families & communities, with 1 in 5 women globally experiencing #mentalhealthchallenges during #pregnancy and/or #postpartum.

Understanding #perinatalmentalhealth = better support/outcomes. Learn more: https://t.co/seG6YtNPai

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Genna shared her story of #perinatalmentalhealth, “I knew it wasn’t the normal me, but I didn’t know that it wasn’t the normal postpartum.”

For many women, perinatal #mentalhealth challenges are not what they expect.

Read Genna's story & others: https://t.co/v611mvlDV6

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

“I decided not to share my deepest thoughts…I was afraid that my daughter would be taken away.”

Candace’s story reflects how fear of judgment, stigma, and consequences can silence women experiencing #perinatalmentalhealth challenges. Learn more: https://t.co/v611mvlDV6

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Perinatal mental health includes emotional/psychological experiences during #pregnancy & up to 1yr after #childbirth, such as #depression, #anxiety, #intrusivethoughts, or #substanceuse.

Learn more about #perinatalmentalhealth: https://t.co/v611mvlDV6

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Introducing Experiences of Mental Health & Pregnancy — our new resource sharing real stories from women navigating #mentalhealth challenges during #pregnancy and #postpartum.

Available in English and French: https://t.co/v611mvlDV6

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Naomi told us about her early symptoms of heart failure, “I was having shortness of breath. I just was not feeling well at all. I couldn’t I barely was getting out of bed. I wasn’t eating.” Learn more: https://t.co/L0VTl6kYua

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Lori emphasized the importance of community, “I think women especially should talk to other women with heart failure...It’s great to find out their own experiences and you become allies and you become friends,” For more: https://t.co/L0VTl6kYua

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Louise shared her personal experience of heart failure and how hard asking for help can be, “...my biggest downfall is that I don’t ask for help from others. Because I want to be Superwoman. Because I always was Superwoman.” For more: https://t.co/L0VTl6kYua

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Lise said, “We’re worried that we’re making it all up and that we’re not going to be taken seriously...when we do go to the doctor, we’re not taken seriously so then it just reinforces that it’s all in our head.” More women's experiences of heart failure: https://t.co/L0VTl6kYua

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Sharon explained, “I think there is a lot of support and solace to be found by being in the community of other heart patients. I think it helps you appreciate your experience, put it in perspective and understand it.” Learn more: https://t.co/L0VTl6kYua

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Cathy shared the stark contrast between her life before and after #LongCOVID, "I was a high-energy person. And now...I feel like...a frail elderly person with dementia." Learn more about her experience: https://t.co/hyzTFXHVCI

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Kari shared, "The mental health side of #LongCOVID is massive...that's where there needs to be more help...people can't afford $250/hr for a psychologist." Learn more: https://t.co/hyzTFXHVCI

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Cathy reflects on the need for specialized emotional support for #LongCOVID, "There needs to be people who are counsellors, psychologists who are trained in Long COVID, who can help people." Discover more: https://t.co/hyzTFXHVCI

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

David discusses mutual learning b/w patients & researchers. "We [learned] to ask them questions & they had to learn to talk about their experience, feel safe…These patients have been trained by practice and they’ve kind of trained me as well." Learn more: https://t.co/PLB9VqMntz

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

@HealthExUSA @dipexcharity @healthtalkorg @DIPExIntl @HealthtalkAus

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Ruth shared, "I can't really go for walks, let alone run, garden, shovel. I know, it sounds like well, you don't need to be shoveling, but I want to…" Dive into Ruth's story and more stories of experiences with Long COVID: https://t.co/si4w8utrBk

[Health Experiences Research Canada @HealthexpCAN]

Rowdyneko shared her experience of #familycaregiving, "It’s coping with the everyday stuff I can do, it’s when additional stuff gets thrown in... like breaking my tooth or the heater stopping... that tips me over." For more, visit https://t.co/Rlhxloc6KQ