NDP asks federal health minister for national mental health strategy for pregnant women, new moms

As the pandemic drives an increase in the number of mental health crises among pregnant women and new mothers, the NDP is pushing for a national mental health strategy to help women through pregnancy and into motherhood.

The Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative, a non-profit mental health advocacy organization, says that in normal times, roughly20 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men suffer frommental health issues immediately before and after birth but that figurehas doubledduring the pandemic.

NDP health critic Don Davies has written to Health MinisterPatty Hajdu asking her to develop a perinatal mental health strategy that would provide care to women over the periodfrom conception to a year after achild is born.

"Canada does not have a comprehensive national strategy, mandateor directive to guide how health care practitioners should assess, diagnosis, treator provide follow-up to individuals suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders," Davies said in the letter, being released publicly today.

"This puts Canada out of step with jurisdictions like the United Kingdom, Australiaand many parts of the United States."

Davies' private membersbill C-306 calls for a national strategy that includes mental health screening during the full perinatal period.

"There are prescribed screenings throughout a pregnant person's pregnancy. Some of them are for gestational diabetes, that's tested twice during pregnancy. But In most places in Canada, not a single question is asked to assess the woman's psycho-social or mental health position at that point," Davies told CBC News.

Prevention and cure

Bill C-306 alsowould expand access to specialist perinatal mental health care in the community, increase awareness of perinatal mental health disorders and improve training for health care professionals so they are better able to detect symptoms of ill health.

Davies said that pregnant women and new mothers are often expected to be "glowing" and enjoyingthe happiest moment of their lives when the reality for somewomen is quite different.

Chernell Bartholomew gave birth to her third child six months ago;she took part in the NDP's news conference today.Shesaid new mothers should have access to more consistent mental health support after they give birth.

"We need a team after [birth] to help us get back to functioning, to help us get back to physical strength, to help us get back to emotional and mental strength," saidBartholomew.

"Even a few days or a few weeks can make a huge, huge difference in how we are able to care for ourselves and others."

Bartholomew said safetymeasures introduced during the pandemic exposed gaps in the mental health support system that were less obvious during her previous pregnancies.

The bill also wouldensure that patients have "culturally relevant" treatments that are "gender-affirming and inclusive" and thatefforts are madeto combat the stigma associated with askingfor help during pregnancy.

Davies is making the case that treating mothers down the road, once their mental illness has had time to metastasize, is more expensive to the economy and to the federal government.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," hesaid.