Perinatal Mental Health Resources

Thank you for reaching out for assistance. This page is for both people seeking additional support and healthcare providers seeking help for next steps on how to help women in their care. Please note that our area of expertise is in perinatal mental health.

Below is a collection of helpful links that offer cutting edge insight into how to support pregnant women’s emotional well-being. While some of these sites also include information on other aspects of pregnancy, we have included them on the basis of the excellent information they offer on perinatal mental health.

Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS): This is a globally recognized tool used for screening anxiety and/or depression in pregnant women or those who have recently given birth.

Healthy Parents Healthy Children: This website provides helpful insight in both emotional wellbeing and physical health via articles and tools for pregnant women, parents and healthcare providers.

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA): This Australian based website provides mental health support and helpful information for expecting and new parents.

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE): This Australian based website provides the best, most current and most comprehensive perinatal mental health guidelines today with a breakdown for psychologists, general practitioners, mental health nurses, maternal child and family health nurses, obstetricians, midwives and more. Contact them directly for more information and assistance via email at: info@cope.org.au.

Beyond Blue: Beyond Blue is an Australian, independent non-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other mental disorders. Click here to go directly to Beyond Blue’s Pregnancy and New Parents section.

Smart Mom Canada: ‘SmartMom is a prenatal education program for Canadian moms-to-be that text-messages you information you can trust to help guide you through the weeks of your pregnancy.’

Postpartum Support International: ‘The mission of Postpartum Support International is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide.’

Drug Rehab – Advanced Recovery Systems: Pregnancy should be an exciting and empowering time in a woman’s life. Unfortunately, addiction and mental health problems can compromise a woman’s safety and well-being. There’s hope for recovery, though. Click here for ‘Addiction and Pregnancy: A Guide for Mothers‘.

Take Action

The Anti-Anxiety Notebook: Check out Therapy Notebooks’ Anti-Anxiety journals, created by psychologists using CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) techniques to guide users through their anxiety

MoodFit: Mental Health App – ‘Fitness for your mental health’.

Resources for Dads

Fathers Mental Health: A Toronto based resource for dads from Mount Sinai Hospital with information for both new and seasoned dads.

Dads in Gear: A Vancouver based resource for Dads dads from the University of British Columbia – including information on being a dad, health advice and quitting smoking.

Australian Men’s Shed Association: An Australian based organization that supports men’s health, provide practical skills and ‘prioritises the wellbeing of all men valuing the role that Men’s Sheds play in the prevention of social isolation by providing a safe, friendly and welcoming place for men to work on meaningful projects and to contribute to the wider community.’

Men Therapy.org.au: Australia’s Beyond Blue’s initiative for men. More resources for men, by men. Facts, tips for caring for yourself, caring for friends, stories and Dad Advice from other dads. ‘Men are known for bottling things up. But when you’re feeling down, taking action to call in extra support is the responsible thing to do.’

PANDA Australia – Perinatal Anxiety and Depression in Men Fact Sheet: ‘Up to 1 in 10 new dads struggle with postnatal depression.’

PANDA Australia: Information on experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression in dads.

How is Dad Going?: Mental health support for new and existing dads.

Need Someone to Talk to?

7Cups: Need someone to talk to? 7Cups offers both free and paid options, connecting you to caring volunteers for emotional support or professional counsellors.

BetterHelp: ‘Tap into the world’s largest network of licensed, accredited, and experienced counselors who can help you with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, grief, and more.’

E-MentalHealth.ca: Find mental health services, help and support in your community in Canada.

Stella’s Place: 1:1 counselling and video chat for 16-29 year old women in Toronto. (Call 416-461-2345, ext. 0, or email connect@stellasplace.ca to book a virtual appointment).

ShelterSafe’s Provincial/Territorial Crisis Line: ‘Many provinces and territories have a domestic violence phone line that covers the whole province/territory. These are alternative ways to reach a shelter or related service.’

Hope for Wellness Chat: For Indigenous persons nationwide. Chat available for immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention. Languages available: English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktituk.

Pregnancy Loss Support Program: For both moms and dads. Support for miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death. Includes telephone counselling and support groups. Professional referrals can be made to psychotherapists in the New York metropolitan area. Support in adoption after loss available.

Safety and Wellness During Distressing Times

Canadian Women’s Foundation: List of shelters and services divided by geographical location for women at risk of assault, abuse or sexual violence.

Crisis Service Canada (formerly The Canada Suicide Prevention Service): Crisis Service Canada is available 24/7 for phone calls and 4pm to 12am ET for text messaging. Call 1-833-456-4566 or text ‘Start’ to 45645.

ShelterSafe – Women’s Shelters Canada: ‘If you are a woman experiencing abuse, there is someone you can reach out to any time of day or night.’

Women looking for a list of mental health helplines, suicide hotlines, and depression advice centers listed by country can click here.

Helpful Articles and Resources from Dr. Dawn Kingston

Simple Self-Screening Tool for Women – Identifying Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Pregnancy Based on the Whooley Screening Tool

Suicide Prevention

The Symptoms of Mood Swings, Depression and Anxiety: A checklist to assist in identifying the differences and symptoms a pregnant woman may be experiencing.

How to Create New Thought Patterns to Prevent Prenatal Anxiety: Guest article at Maternity Comfort Solutions.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health With Dr. Dawn Kingston: Guest podcast interview with Erica Ziel.