Alexandra Lihou Gibson

03/31/2022

The World Health Organization today launched its first-ever global guidelines that support mothers and newborns in the first six weeks after birth.

Regarding Mental Health:

Recommendation 18: Screening for postpartum depression and anxiety using a validated instrument is recommended and should be accompanied by diagnostic and management services for women who screen positive.

Recommendation 19: Psychosocial and/or psychological interventions during the antenatal and postnatal period are recommended to prevent postpartum depression and anxiety.

Recommendation 41: Psychosocial interventions to support maternal mental health should be integrated into early childhood health and development services.

Recommendation 46: Prior to discharging women and newborns after birth from the health facility to the home, health workers should assess the following criteria to improve maternal and newborn outcomes: ... the women's emotional wellbeing.

We at the CPMHC are working hard to make sure these four recommendations and more are part of Canada's reality in each and every jurisdiction.

The WHO guidelines issued have a list of 63 recommendations that governments around the world should aim for a high-quality healthcare system.

Download the report here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240045989

01/29/2022

Please take a few minutes to fill out this petition.

Counsellors and psychotherapists are the only mental health professionals required to charge GST/HST! Other providers of psychotherapy include: psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses. All of these professionals are exempt from ch...

01/17/2022

01/16/2022

Proud to see pop up on the news this morning! Representing the perinatal mental health community with facts about how the pandemic is impacting our community. Thank you !

01/05/2022

📣 We issued this press release & call to action today. Please lend your voice at https://cpmhc.ca/take-action/ ➡️ Parents Are In Crisis And Need Timely Access To Perinatal Mental Health Services Now

(Toronto, January 5, 2022) - The Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative is urging the federal government to keep its promise to ensure timely access to perinatal mental health services as it develops its response to the Omicron variant.

“At a time when everyone is feeling a loss of hope from yet another lockdown, we cannot forget our most vulnerable families: pregnant and postpartum women and birthing people who are already struggling with a mood or anxiety disorder,” CPMHC co- executive director, Patricia Tomasi said. “This population needs timely access to perinatal mental health services, as the federal government promised to provide in its platform and recent mandate letter.”

While the CPMHC is not disputing the need for measures to help ease the burden on health care facilities and health care providers, we believe measures must also be taken to ensure the mental well-being of families during this difficult time.

“We are hearing from moms, dads, partners and birthing persons that they are at their breaking point and do not know where to turn for help,” CPMHC co-executive director, Jaime Charlebois said. “Time is of the essence. Struggling parents need help now.”

Government-funded, specialist perinatal mental health care providers such as specially trained psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers exist in a handful of urban hospitals across Canada, but wait lists are long, and many are being redeployed as we face the Omicron crisis, leaving serious gaps in service.

We believe that access to specially trained perinatal mental health care providers (such as those listed on the Postpartum Support International Canadian directory - www.psidirectory.com) should be ensured – regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.

The future mental health and well-being of families is at stake. We urge the government to act now.

12/30/2021

This anthology is the best gift of all. The love that has been poured into this book is palpable. This book touches every facet of reproductive mental health. I can’t think of a better way to spend this snowy day.

10/30/2021

PSI is here to help -- you are not alone. You don’t need a diagnosis to reach out for help. We are here to support and find resources for you.

Call or text "HELP" to the PSI HelpLine at 800-944-4773. For immediate help or if you are experiencing a suicidal crisis, contact the Su***de Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

PSI Website ➡️ Postpartum.net

10/27/2021

As Canada deals with the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and an ongoing opioid crisis, Trudeau has named Carolyn Bennett as the first minister of mental health and addictions.

10/26/2021

It's estimated one in 10 men suffer postpartum depression. One father warns other soon-to-be-dads, 'it's no joke.'

07/09/2021

02/06/2021

Going into the weekend with my rest checklist...

02/04/2021

Seven years ago I began writing Being Mom, a perinatal group therapy program with my good friend Dr. Gail Howell-Jones. Gail and I ran the group together at Royal Columbian Hospital and finally sent it to be piloted in Chilliwack, BC last year. Listen to Lise talk about running Being Mom on CBC radio below

Lise McAlpline is a registered psychatric nurse who works in community mental health. She is currently supporting perinatal -- before and after birth -- mental health clients in the Chilliwack community.

01/28/2021

On this day, lets talk about how disorders are the most prevalent complications in the perinatal period. Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative https://cpmhc.ca/2020/07/30/moms-disappointed-with-government-of-canadas-response-to-postpartum-depression-petition/

01/20/2021

There is no obligation on the part of the House of Commons or any Member of Parliament to authorize the publication of an e-petition or to present an e-petition or a paper petition to the House of Commons. Neither the House of Commons nor any Member of Parliament authorizing the publication of an e-...

12/31/2020

How I plan on starting 2021. Where I am at. This is my starting point. Repost@thrive

12/14/2020

Especially the second and third ones....oh and the fifth.....and the first and fourth....so yes to all 5 😂🤦‍♀️🎄 -c

10/10/2020

Check in on your friends today...especially those who seem okay.