Mobilizing Change to Support Maternal Mental Health in NL
Written By: Dr. Caroline Porr and Dr. Martha Traverso-Yepez
The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which persons can realize their own potential, can cope with life stresses, and can make a contribution to their community. We have witnessed a dramatic impact on mental health and the ability to cope during the current, unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The isolation and loneliness resulting from social distancing restrictions have compounded the stress of life for many Canadians, especially new mothers. Even before the pandemic, Statistics Canada had reported that 1 in 5 mothers in Canada experiences some form of mental distress (either anxiety or depression) after birth of the baby.
In NL, the rate is even higher, with 1 in 4 women during the perinatal period (pregnancy through to child’s first birthday) reporting that they had experienced these symptoms.
Untreated mental distress can lead to compromised prenatal care, increased risks for obstetrical complications, poor fetal and infant outcomes, and cognitive, emotional and behavioural impairments in the developing child that can last a lifetime. Moreover, even more alarming, suicide is one of the leading causes of perinatal death.
A team of Memorial University researchers partnered with Daybreak Parent Child Centre and Perinatal Program NL to conduct an action inquiry research study funded by NL SUPPORT to explore ways to identify mothers who may be developing mental distress and to investigate opportunities to enhance perinatal mental health care in the province. See link to the study here in Practice Points Vol. 6. Findings from an environmental scan of the literature and from key informant interviews with mothers and professionals indicate that women are not being adequately screened or when mental distress is detected, referrals to specialists for treatment or community-based supports are lacking.
Since the study began, Memorial researchers, community partners (including mothers and professional advisory committees) and representatives from health and government sectors have been collaborating to address the above findings that signify several gaps in the current model of perinatal mental health care. Ongoing momentum to address the gaps has been fostered by several public engagement and knowledge mobilization events including a Town Hall for mothers, science fair exhibits for caregivers and children, a Deliberative Workshop, a documentary screening, and province-wide webinars for mothers and health and social care professionals. More recently, the ‘birth’ of a province-wide alliance (named the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance of NL), the public sharing of research findings through the NL Digital Library Series and the planning and delivery of a virtual forum in October 2020 focused on applying strategies toward an integrated model of perinatal mental health care, are some of the other amazing spinoffs from this NL SUPPORT funded study that is seeing completion this year.
Especially significant is the Alliance, the first of its kind in the province. The mission of the Alliance is to promote the mental health of individuals and families during the perinatal period, through collaboration, advocacy and working toward transformative change that will ultimately result in an integrated system of perinatal mental health programs, supports and services. Thus, the Alliance exists to assist families to navigate the sometimes difficult process of pregnancy and early childhood and is working toward becoming a sustainable organization with broad membership across the province, including Indigenous and immigrant representation. To date, the Alliance membership comprises dedicated Memorial researchers and academics, leaders in public health nursing, medicine, social work, public administration, civil society and other professions from government, health care, Family Resource Centres, not-for-profit organizations and other institutions, in addition to members with lived experience. To come to consensus on prioritizing action steps and moving forward with the mission of the Alliance, an interim Alliance Chair has been positioned to coordinate regular meetings and to provide temporary mechanisms for decision-making until the governance structure is finalized and a formal mandate instituted.
To learn more, please visit https://www.pmhanl.com/.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://bit.ly/SupportLettersSubscribe.
