Perinatal Mental Health (PMH)

Mental Health is an important part of health and well-being. The perinatal period is the time during pregnancy up to the end of the first year after giving birth. Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as other disorders, can be experienced during this time. Poor mental health in the perinatal period has a negative impact on the mother's daily life and on the infant's mental health. Partners and children can struggle too. It can affect anyone in the family.

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People experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders may...

Feel sad or numb
Be tearful or cry a lot
Feel exhausted, but not able to sleep
Have changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Feel overwhelmed and can’t concentrate
Feel anxious or can’t stop worrying
Seek constant reassurance from others or the internet
Have no interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Feel hopeless or worthless
Feel restless, irritable or angry
Feel guilty and ashamed
Avoid spending time with family and friends

If your symptoms continue or get worse, speak to your healthcare professional.

If you have thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby, please contact or visit CMHA Crisis Support or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

Date of creation: December 1, 2017
Last modified on: January 14, 2025

Mental Health Supports

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Support Line (24/7 Therapeutic Listening)
1-844-360-8055

Middlesex-London Health Unit
Speak with a Public Health Nurse, 519-663-5317, press 5

Talk 4 Healing Help Line (24/7 for Aboriginal Women)
Call or Live Chat, 1-855-554-HEAL (4325), or Webchat

Family Service Thames Valley Counselling Services
519-433-0183, ext. 605 (intake)

The Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration (MRCSSI)
519-672-6000

Mother Matters

Online support group (Women's College Hospital, Toronto)

Mother Reach Support Group
(in-person, London)

For information and registration, email: motherreachlondon@gmail.com

Parent and Infant Relationship Clinic (PAIR Clinic)

Support and consultation about your baby's emotional development from Vanier Children's Mental Wellness
519-433-3101

Crisis Supports

Reach Out (24/7 Crisis Service)

Call: 1-866-933-2023
Text:519-433-2023
Webchat

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (24/7 Crisis & Counselling Service)
1-855-242-3310

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental health Crisis Centre (24/7 walk-in service)
648 Huron St. London

Tandem (Vanier Intake Service)

24/7 Crisis Support Services for children from birth-18 yrs of age and their parents/guardians

519-433-0334

Suicide Crisis Helpline (24/7)
Call or Text 9-8-8

Resources

Life With a New Baby Is Not Always What You Expect, Best Start (PDF in English & 9 other languages)
Pregnancy Is Not Always What You Expect, Best Start (PDF in English & French)
Self Care During Pregnancy and Postpartum, MLHU REST Tool (PDF)
Pacific Post Partum Support Society (Videos & Information)
Speak With a Public Health Nurse at the Middlesex-London Health Unit
Postpartum Support International (information, videos, and online support groups - USA)

References

¹BC Reproductive Mental Health Program. (2014). Best practice guidelines for mental health disorders in the perinatal period. Retrieved from
http://www.perinatalservicesbc.ca/Documents/Guidelines-Standards/Maternal/MentalHealthDisordersGuideline.pdf

²Canadian Pediatric Society. (2020, July). Depression in pregnant women and mothers: How it affects you and your child. Retrieved from
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/depression_in_pregnant_women_and_mothers

³Government of Canada. (2022-11-07). Mental Health: Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy Retrieved from
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/healthy-pregnancy/healthy-pregnancy-guide.html#a8

⁴Haensel, H., & Parkinson, S. (2017). Mothering the mother: Caring for mother’s mental health to optimize infant attachment and development. [PowerPoint slides].