Question Period Note: Perinatal MH

Maternal stress, anxiety and depression are important public health issues, increasing the risk of poor mental and physical health outcomes for mothers along with potential impacts for children and families.

Our Government recognizes that maternal stress, anxiety and depression are important public health issues.
The Government has made ongoing investments that support the mental health of pregnant and postpartum individuals, including in health promotion resources, community-based supports, and the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program.
The Government is also funding Women’s College Hospital to develop a National Clinical Practice Guideline for Perinatal Mental Illness.
These investments demonstrate our commitment to improving access to quality and equitable perinatal mental health supports.
IF PRESSED ON PROGRESS MADE ON PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH…
On March 9, 2022, a ministerial roundtable was held with key stakeholder groups, including experts, practitioners, and people with lived and living experience, to examine access to perinatal mental health care.
In support of the roundtable advice, the Government is funding Women’s College Hospital to develop a National Clinical Practice Guideline for Perinatal Mental Illness, to support providers in delivering quality care.
This Clinical Practice Guideline will be evidence-based and informed by community experts, providers, and people with lived and living experience.

N/A

The 2018/2019 Survey on Maternal Health provided a snapshot of the mental health of new mothers (5 to 13 months after giving birth) in Canada. The survey found that almost one-quarter (23%) of new mothers reported feelings consistent with either post-partum depression or an anxiety disorder.
A higher proportion (30%) of mothers under the age of 25 reported feelings consistent with depression or an anxiety disorder compared to mothers aged 25 and older (23%).
The survey also found that nearly one-third (31%) of mothers who reported feelings consistent with either post-partum depression or an anxiety disorder had previously been told by a health professional that they had depression or a mood disorder prior to being pregnant.