July 2023 Newsletter

Welcome to our ever-growing Alliance for perinatal mental health!

The Perinatal Mental Health Alliance of NL (PMHANL) aims to enhance awareness and promote care and supports for perinatal mental health across the province.

Engagement Opportunities

Open Call for Education Committee Members

We are excited to announce an open call for dedicated members to join the esteemed Perinatal Mental Health Alliance Education Committee.

 

Your invaluable expertise and passion can make a significant impact on improving perinatal mental health knowledge and awareness in the workplace, amongst professionals, and in the community.

 

Interested in this opportunity?

Apply below by simply telling us about yourself and your interest!

 

Please forward any questions to perinatalconnect@gmail.com

 
Education Committee Interest Form

Save the Date: September 13th, 2023 for our

2nd Annual General Meeting

Save the Date!

We will be hosting our 2nd Annual General Meeting on September 13th, 2023 at 7pm (NFLD Standard Time). This meeting is open to all PMHANL Members to attend.

 

We look forward to sharing with you the work of the Alliance in the 2022-2023 year, including a review of our Strategic Plan, and the opportunity to vote on our Constitution and Bylaws of the Alliance. We also look forward to sharing the exciting opportunities arising for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

Stay tuned for more information to come on our events page.

 

Hope to see you there!

In the Research...

Preconception risk factors and health care needs of pregnancy-planning women and men with a lifetime history or current mental illness: A nationwide survey

Dennis et al., 2022

This nationwide Canadian study from 2022 is one of the first to study preconception care needs of women and men who have had a history of mental illness.

 

Data from the survey suggests that pre-pregnancy planning and health management needs of individuals with mental health problems can have a significant positive impact on the reproductive and perinatal outcomes, on both themselves and the wellbeing of their children.

 

This study supports the need for preconception interventions that target psychosocial, psychical, and behavioural well-being of individuals with mental illness.

 

To read the full text, click the link below:

 
Full Text

Feature of the Month: Carbonear OBS Team

After learning Flora’s Story, a Canadian mother who lost her life by suicide to postpartum depression, and in response to the startling statistics of perinatal mental health incidence in Canada & the province, the Carbonear General Health (CGH) Obstetrics Team focused their “MORE OB Milestone 6 objective” on Perinatal Mental Health.

 

In alignment with the Bill C-265 directed national strategy and through consultation with patient advisors, a mental health and patient focused inclusive pathway was developed. Their objective was, “to enhance their knowledge and to better understand the effects of mental health conditions during the perinatal period and to empower care providers to better support patients through their pregnancy and postpartum care.”  

 

Today, every obstetrical patient in the care of the CGH Obstetrical Team provides a self-reported history that is inclusive of mental health related concerns at their first visit. An obstetrician provides universal mental health screening, as well as personalized treatment and specialist referral when applicable. All patients are referred to OBS Service at 30-weeks to meet with an RN to review each patient’s birth plan, including opportunity to individualize care, discuss alternative techniques for pain reduction, and address needs of individuals who have alternate family dynamics in relation to expected roles. These plans are implemented upon admission for delivery, continued throughout their stay, and translated to Public Health when going home to the community.

 

This new process went live April 1, 2023 at CGH, and the pathway has generated positive reviews by patients.

 

Way to go, Carbonear on your leadership and efforts in implementing this recent initiative!

Resources 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing struggles with your mental health during the perinatal period, know that you are not alone. Please check our Resource Page to find what supports are best for you.

Do you or your team have an event coming up related to Perinatal Mental Health? Let us know! We would love to share more updates from our community on our website and through newsletter! Email pmhanlconnect@gmail.com with your information.

291-293 Water Street, Suite 302, St. John's, NL A1C 1B9

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