We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 5-year anniversary as an organization. We’ve come a long way from “two Barrie moms on a mission” thanks to your support!
Thanks to our collective efforts, we’ve been able to move the needle on access to perinatal mental health care across Canada and we’re committed to ensuring progress moves forward.
Contest Alert
To celebrate with you, we’re giving 5 lucky winners the chance to win a
$50 Indigo gift card
along with a super cozy Flora’s Walk toque!
All you have to do is create an Instagram or Facebook post that tells your followers about your favourite CPMHC moment and your hopes for perinatal mental health care in Canada for the next 5 years and beyond.
Don’t forget to tag us!
@cpmhc
Contest closes Dec. 31st, 2024.
Winners will be announced on Jan. 6th, 2025.
Here is a look back at some of the milestones we achieved together:
2019
The CPMHC is born, co-founded by “two Barrie moms on a mission” with a fervent passion and determination to improve perinatal mental health care in Canada. National committee of researchers and clinicians, and social media ambassador committees are formed. Call is made and championed to establish a National Perinatal Mental Health Strategy in collaboration with provinces and territories.
CPMHC asks leaders of all parties running in federal election to support national strategy. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh pledges support in signed letter, event covered in CPMHC’s first national media article.
2020
First ever e-petition with 500 signatures calling for national strategy created by CPMHC tabled in House of Commons by MP Heather McPherson. Government response cites current govt programs, doesn’t mention any support for national strategy.
CPMHC holds first virtual conference for Maternal Mental Health Day featuring Dr. Simone Vigod, presentation of Now More Than Ever CPMHC video featuring people with lived experience, elected officials, Canadian celebrities
2021
CPMHC launches first report, Time for Action with results of CPMHC first ever research study where 95% of health care providers reported insufficiency of perinatal mental health services in Canada.
Motion to create national perinatal mental health strategy receives unanimous consent in House of Commons, and MP Don Davies’ Private Member’s Bill calling for national strategy introduced in House of Commons but doesn’t pass.
Mental Health Commission of Canada recommends national perinatal mental health strategy in its policy brief quoting CPMHC’s research.
CPMHC edits and publishes first ever Canadian perinatal mental health anthology: You Are Not Alone and reaches bestseller list on Amazon.
CPMHC successful in advocating to have “timely access to perinatal mental health services” listed on mandate letterfor first ever federal Minister of Mental Health & Addictions.
2022
First ever Flora’s Walk for Perinatal Mental Health held in 22 cities across Canada raising over $75,000 for community perinatal mental health programming. Event held in Ottawa where CPMHC meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. PM sends out social media posts about meeting, promising to deliver timely access to perinatal mental health services, Health Canada statement released online, MP Damoff delivers member’s statement during Question Period
CPMHC has first study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry journal – Assessment of Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Services from the Provider Perspective: Where can we improve?
CPMHC publishes response in Canadian Medical Association Journal to Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, A call to revisit recommendations for instrument-based perinatal depression screening in Canada, commentary on Lang et al. 2022
2023
CPMHC helps develop Ontario Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health, Tip Sheet for Healthcare Providers on Providing Inclusive, Affirming and Safer Perinatal Care to 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals
CPMHC publishes study in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health journal, Examining the Gaps in Perinatal Mental Health Care: A qualitative study of the perceptions of perinatal service providers in Canada
2nd annual Flora’s Walk raises over $120,000 from 40 walks across Canada, Minister Bennett announces Health Canada funding for first ever CANMAT clinical guidelines for perinatal mood and anxiety related disorders, CPMHC are named principal authors on project led by Women’s College Hospital, MP Damoff rises in Question Period for member’s statement
CPMHC launches provincial/territorial Chapters, Directory of Service Providers
2024
CPMHC hosts meeting with Standard Council of Canada with people with lived experience as part of public consultations for the creation of Canada’s first ever National Standards Roadmap for Mental Health and Substance Use Health Services
3rd annual Flora’s Walk raises over $200,000 for over 60 organizations through 50 walks across Canada, Ottawa event includes Minister of Mental Health & Addictions, Ya’ara Saks, statement posted online by Public Health Agency of Canada.
CPMHC Saskatchewan Chapter presents document calling for Saskatchewan government to enact recommendations from the MotherFirst Report from the Maternal Mental Health Saskatchewan Advisory Group led by Dr. Angela Bowen and Elita Paterson. The government of Saskatchewan announces funding for mental health supports including perinatal mental health to the tune of $3 million.
CPMHC joins Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health for Mental Illness Awareness Week including meeting with Minister Saks and numerous MPs to advocate for perinatal mental health.
CPMHC presents sneak peek of CANMAT clinical guidelines for perinatal mood and anxiety related disorders at International Marcé Conference in Barcelona, Spain.
