Visions Journal

Reprinted from "Having a Baby" issue of Visions Journal, 2012, Vol. 7 (3), p. 28

Services and Organizations

• BC Reproductive Mental Health Program: www.bcmhas.ca
  For women and their families who experience mental health concerns related to pregnancy, reproductive health, menstruation and menopause. This program is based at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver but is available to all BC residents with a referral from your doctor or midwife. To learn more, call 604-875-2025 or visit www.bcmhas.ca and click on Programs/Services > Reproductive Mental Health.
  
  Free resources on this site include:

  • Coping with Depression During Pregnancy and Following the Birth: A cognitive behaviour therapy-based self-management guide for women
    For women and their health care providers. This guide discusses depression, different treatment options, self-management strategies grounded in cognitive-behavioural therapy, and self-care.

  • Factsheets for expecting mothers and new mothers
    Learn more about depression during pregnancy, postpartum depression, and treatment options for perinatal depression.

  • Addressing Perinatal Depression: A framework for BC’s health authorities
    For leaders and policy-makers. This guide describes a framework for action to support health authorities in providing effective education, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, and support.

• Pacific Post Partum Support Society: www.postpartum.org
  Support, resources and education for mothers and families who experience postpartum depression or anxiety. They offer BC-Wide weekly support groups in the Lower Mainland, and a telephone support line. Call 1-855-255-7999 (toll-free in BC) or 604-255-7999 (in the Lower Mainland). Available Monday to Friday from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm.

• Perinatal anxiety self-help: www.anxietybc.com/perinatal
  At the end of 2012, AnxietyBC will be launching a new section of their website with self-help resources for new and expectant mothers on coping with anxiety.

• Healthy Choices in Pregnancy: www.hcip-bc.org
  Healthy Choices in Pregnancy offers education and resources for women who use substances during pregnancy, for community service providers and for clinicians. You’ll find factsheets, toolkits and information on different supports available in BC.

Reports

• Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women who use Substances: What communities are doing to help: www.bccewh.bc.ca/publications-resources
  This resource describes unique support programs in communities across Canada and discusses how the programs started, how they operate, and what lessons they’ve learned through their work.