As soon as we found out about the exciting announcement today from the Government of Saskatchewan on funding for therapy for pregnant and postpartum people experiencing perinatal mental health struggles, we reached out to one of the program founders, Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos of the University of Regina to tell us more! Online Therapy Unit
Have a listen here: https://youtu.be/CmSqKruiyWc?si=8U_l4MIBffi1rclf
Here’s what we learned above and beyond the press release sent out today:
– $280,000 in funding will go towards creating the Well-Being for Expecting and New Mothers Course
– The course will be 5 core lessons of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT, an evidence-based treatment for perinatal mental health) with support from a therapist via email and/or phone for 8 weeks
– The course is only for people in Saskatchewan due to therapy licensing rules
– Non birthing people (fathers, partners, support persons) can also take the course
– At the end of the 8 weeks, if the person is still having difficulties, they can be referred to another healthcare provider or kept on the program for longer
– People can self refer to the course
– The course will be free
– Perinatal mental health screening will be done at the beginning and end of the course
– This course can be taken by those struggling from mild to severe perinatal mental health concerns
– The course should be available in March 2025
– In the meantime, anyone can take the standard depression and anxiety course at onlinetherapyuser.ca
Press Release: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2024/september/26/province-enhances-maternal-mental-health-supports
We were also thrilled to be able to speak with members of the Maternal Mental Health Saskatchewan Advisory Group, the phenomenal Dr. Angela Bowen, Elita Paterson, and our Flora’s Walk Saskatoon fearless leader, Kayla Bell: https://youtu.be/Q3O1bTHKtsE
Dr. Angela Bowen and Elita Paterson have been instrumental in advocating for perinatal mental heath care in Saskatchewan. It’s thanks to them and their efforts that brought about the Government of Saskatchewan historic announcement on September 26th which has been 15 years in the making: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2024/september/26/province-enhances-maternal-mental-health-supports
Dr. Bowen is the author of the MotherFirst Strategy Report which first called for a perinatal mental health strategy in Saskatchewan in 2010: https://skmaternalmentalhealth.ca/motherfirst-strategy-report/
Yesterday we told you more about the new Well-Being for Expecting and New Mothers Course that was announced and today we’re diving into the $3 million announcement to enhance the 811 line and add a maternal mental health coordinator.
We’re grateful that Dr. Bowen and Elita are part of our CPMHC Saskatchewan Chapter and that Kayla Bell is our chapter leader. This month, the CPMHC Saskatchewan Chapter asked all parties in Saskatchewan to endorse the calls to action by the Maternal Mental Health Saskatchewan Advisory Group through our CPMHC platform election document.
We’ll be continuing to follow up with Dr. Bowen, Elita, and Kayla as the new coordinator comes on board.
Congrats to all!
