LONDON, ON, Nov. 18, 2014 – New mothers aren’t the only ones dealing with the stresses of parenthood. New fathers may also need a survival guide.
And who better to give them advice than another dad.
That’s why Ivey HBA students are helping Mother Reach London and Middlesex to expand its resources for new fathers and help connect dads with other dads. This was one of 11 projects for the Ivey Connects Community Consulting Project (CCP), a business consulting program run by students at Ivey Business School with support from management consultants from Accenture.
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Mother Reach is a coalition of community members and professionals in London and Middlesex County that seeks to increase awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and provide information and resources to prenatal and postpartum women, their families, and caregivers. The students looked at ways Mother Reach might expand its resources, particularly to fathers, and increase awareness of existing resources.
Leo Desjardins, Director of Clinical Services at Vanier Children's Services and Mother Reach Coalition member, said the Ivey students are helping the Coalition to increase awareness that dads get postpartum blues, too.
“Research has shown that 10 to 14 per cent of new fathers struggle with postpartum depression, especially young fathers. That number is staggering and speaks to the fact that we need to find ways to connect, support, and provide much-needed assistance to new fathers,” he said. “The work completed by the students is instrumental in helping Mother Reach Coalition gain a better understanding of how we can communicate with fathers, reach out to them, and advocate for the development of fatherhood community mental health resources.”
Each year for CCP, Ivey HBA student teams are paired with local non-profit organizations to undertake pro-bono consulting projects over a six-week period from October to November. This year 44 students working in groups of four helped 11 non-profit organizations: The Business Help Centre; Original Kids Theatre Company; Mother Reach London and Middlesex; Middlesex-London Health Unit; Make-A-Wish Foundation; London Employment Help Centre; The London Co-op Store; Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes; Chelsea Green Children's Centre Inc.; The Centre for Employment & Learning; and the Canadian Cancer Society.
The students and non-profit organizations are showcasing the results of the Ivey Connects Community Consulting Project on November 21,5:30-7:30 p.m., in the BMO Financial Group Auditorium, Richard Ivey Building. They will be outlining details of their projects and how they will make a difference in the community.
Ivey Connects (www.ivey.uwo.ca/iveyconnects/) is a student-led organization working to inspire students at the Ivey Business School to contribute to the societies in which they operate – a vital aspect of the school's mission statement. Ivey students have a wealth of resources that, if harnessed, translate to great potential to effect positive change in the community. Ivey Connects provides opportunities for students to give their time through volunteerism and fundraising efforts, and their talent-management or otherwise – to those in need in the community.
Interview and photo opportunities are available. To arrange an interview, contact Ivan Langrish, Senior Manager Media Strategy at ilangrish@ivey.ca, or call 416-203-0664.
About the Ivey Business School, Western University
The Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is Canada’s leading provider of relevant, innovative and comprehensive business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey faculty provide the best classroom experience, equipping graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the leadership challenges in today’s complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as Executive Development at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ivan Langrish, Senior Manager, Media Strategy
Ivey Business School
416-203-0664
ilangrish@ivey.ca
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