Message from the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health - Maternal Mental Health Day

Today is World Maternal Mental Health Day, a day to shine a light on the significant mental health challenges many women experience during pregnancy and after giving birth.

May 1, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada

Today is World Maternal Mental Health Day, a day to shine a light on the significant mental health challenges many women experience during pregnancy and after giving birth.

It is also the third annual Flora's Walk, which raises funds for community-based perinatal mental health programming in memory of Flora Babakhani, who tragically passed away due to undiagnosed and untreated postpartum psychosis. With events happening across Canada to commemorate Flora's life, we come together on this day to raise awareness around the critical importance of perinatal mental health.

Welcoming a new baby is a major life transition ─ one that can be both physically taxing and psychologically taxing. It is normal to feel a range of emotions, from joy and excitement to anxiety and sadness.

Negative feelings usually get better with time and pass more easily with support and self-care. However, continuing to experience negative emotions over an extended period, or experiencing them more severely, may be a sign of a postpartum mental health condition.

Postpartum stress, anxiety and depression are serious public health issues that can lead to negative mental and physical health outcomes for not only mothers, but their children and partners as well. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting maternal health through initiatives and resources for families, including "Your guide to postpartum health and caring for your baby."

Supporting health care professionals is also key in addressing postpartum mental health concerns. They can help recognize signs and symptoms related to postpartum depression, such as sleep disruptions, fatigue, and anxiety. The Government of Canada provides guidance such as the Family-centred maternity and newborn care: National guidelines, and funding for the Women's College Hospital to develop a National Clinical Practice Guideline for Perinatal Mental Illness and corresponding guide for patients and families that will be released this fall.

We want all new parents to know they do not need to carry this burden alone or in silence. Getting medical help is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones, so do not hesitate to talk with a healthcare provider if you are struggling.

We are committed to working with partners across Canada to help ensure everyone has access to the mental health resources they need, including suicide prevention services.

If you find yourself thinking about suicide or self-harm, if you're grieving someone who died by suicide, or if you're worried about someone else who may be having suicidal thoughts, call or text 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. It is available 24/7, across Canada, for bilingual, trauma informed and culturally appropriate suicide prevention and emotional distress support.

The Honourable Ya'ara Saks, P.C., M.P.

Contacts

Yuval Daniel
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ya'ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
819-360-6927

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca