Information & Links – Perinatal Mental Health
Here, we have complied a list of trusted resources on perinatal mental health in Canada and elsewhere. Those available in English are indicated by the ‘EN’ and if in French, an ‘FR’.
If you can’t find what you need and want immediate help, you can call your doctor or:
- Call 911 or emergency services
- Call 988 to reach a 24/7 suicide crisis line
- Call 811 for free, confidential health information and advice, with 24/7 nurse advice and general health information, as well as tele-triage and navigation services
We welcome any feedback about additional resources or information you have found helpful!
About Perinatal Mental Health
Postpartum Support International – Canada
(EN & FR; also available in Spanish/Español and 5 other languages)
PSI-CANADA is the Canadian presence of Postpartum Support International (PSI), the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to helping those suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, the most common complication of childbirth. You can find their local volunteers, based in every Canadian province, through the link above.
Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit (EN)
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists created educational resources with mental health-related information to help to reduce stigma and empower people giving birth and their families to seek help, while letting people giving birth know that they are not alone.
Coping with Depression in Pregnancy and Following Birth (EN)
This workbook is a cognitive behaviour therapy-based self-management guide for people giving birth produced by the BC Reproductive Mental Health Program of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. This resource is for people giving birth wanting to learn self-help skills to prevent and manage depression during pregnancy and after birth. This resource includes basic information for people giving birth and their healthcare providers, as well as advice on getting help, making changes, and preventing relapse.
The International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health (EN)
The International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health is an international, interdisciplinary organization dedicated to supporting research and assistance surrounding prenatal and postpartum mental health for parents and their babies. It is based in the USA but promotes research and high-quality clinical care around the world.
Here you can also find evidence-based mental health guidance and resources on COVID-19 and perinatal mental health for patients: https://marcesociety.com/covid-19-perinatal-mental-health-resources/#resources-for-patients
Provincial & Territorial Perinatal Mental Health Supports
Alberta
Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre (EN)
This centre provides education and ongoing, compassionate support before, during and after pregnancy. Their programs and services are free, confidential, and are offered in a safe and non-judgmental environment regardless of age, race, income, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability or other circumstances.
Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre (EN)
24-hour helpline: (403) 269-3110
The Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre is a non-profit charity offering pregnancy and family support for those in challenging situations. They offer services including free pregnancy tests, information and education on all pregnancy-related options, peer counselling and advocacy, referral to community services, adoption referrals, prenatal classes, parenting classes, life skills classes, post-abortion grief support, and sexual health community education.
British Columbia
Pacific Postpartum Support Society (EN)
Call: (855) 255-7999; Text: (604) 255-7999
Pacific Postpartum Support Society is a small, non-profit charitable organization that has been providing mental health and emotional support to new parents and families since 1971. Today, they support anyone who is experiencing isolation, distress, or a PMAD in the perinatal period or is supporting someone who is. This includes pregnant people, new parents, mothers, fathers, partners, non-gestational parents, surrogates, adoptive parents, foster parents, and people who have experienced perinatal or infant loss.
This provides a central hub of evidence-based information for perinatal services and support.
Manitoba
Prairie Pregnancy Support Centre (EN)
Prairie Pregnancy Support Centre provides free and confidential pregnancy tests, accurate information on all options – abortion, adoption and parenting, and information about various community resources in Central Plains and Manitoba.
New Brunswick
Sussex Pregnancy Care Centre (EN)
The Sussex Pregnancy Care Centre is a faith based and provide compassionate support and education for individuals and families impacted by unexpected pregnancy and its effects. All their programs and services are free, confidential, and are offered in a safe and non-judgmental environment regardless of age, gender, race, or religion.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Perinatal Program Newfoundland Labrador (EN)
Perinatal Program Newfoundland Labrador (PPNL) is a provincial program administered through Eastern Health and located in the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre. They offer a follow-up clinic for infants at risk for developmental delay, perinatal education, programs and advocacy, perinatal surveillance, and provincial breastfeeding consultation.
Nova Scotia
Tri-County Pregnancy Care Centre (EN)
The Tri-County Pregnancy Care Centre (TCPCC) is a faith-based, non-profit agency offering assistance for anyone struggling with an unexpected pregnancy or loss.
Valley Creek Pregnancy Centre (EN)
The Valley Creek Pregnancy Centre provides free, confidential, personal support, free pregnancy tests, maternity clothes & prenatal vitamin referral, personal, one-on-one pregnancy coaching, individualized pregnancy & parenting education, pregnancy, labour, birth & parenting videos, help with diapers, formula & breast feeding, quality baby clothes up to age two, connection with a mom’s group in your area, and phone, text & email support after hours.
Northwest Territories
The Healthy Family Program (HFP) is open universally to anyone who has young children (prenatal to age six) that is interested in learning and sharing about children and caregiving. The HFP supports early childhood development by providing information and activities that are fun and free for families, including parenting groups and workshops, cultural programming, peer support, one-on-one in-person (home visiting/in office) supports, and one-on-one virtual supports.
Nunavut
Uummati Perinatal Support Program (EN)
The organization’s goal is to provide support services to all birthing people in Nunavut, and specifically the Qikiqtaaluk region. They aim for all birthing people and their families to feel informed, supported and empowered, offering courses in traditional Inuit birthing knowledge and on youth pregnancy.
Ontario
Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario (EN)
Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario is a not-for-profit organization that provides individual and group peer support, low to no-cost therapy and therapeutic programming online to support parents and people in the perinatal period who are living with symptoms of mental health issues.
Prince Edward Island
The Island Pregnancy Centre provides compassionate care and education for individuals facing unexpected pregnancies or pregnancy & family related challenges. They provide continued care through peer mentoring, support programs and material goods.
Quebec
Étude sur le bien-être antenatal de Montréal/Montreal Antenatal Well-Being Study (EN & FR)
The Montreal Antenatal Well-Being Study is one of the largest studies in Canada seeking to better understand which combination of factors makes some people giving birth more likely than others to experience anxiety and/or depression during (and after) pregnancy. Their website includes a list of pregnancy, postnatal, and general health community resources for individuals that can be found here: https://www.antenatalwellbeingmtl.com/en-resources (EN & FR).
Réseau des Centres de Ressources Périnatales du Québec (RCRPQ) (EN & FR)
RCRPQ offers perinatal services to parents and future parents to prepare them, accompany them and support them in various transitions specific to preconception, pregnancy, birth and until the child has reached the age of 2 years.
Saskatchewan
Options Pregnancy Centre is a non-profit organization that provides people giving birth and their families with free, knowledge-based, confidential services. They provide practical, informative resources, emotional support, educational programs, material support and client advocate services that help people giving birth in their community to make informed choices.
Saskatoon Pregnancy Options and Support Centre (EN)
The Saskatoon Pregnancy Options and Support Centre is a Faith-based, non-profit, non-political, charitable organization. They provide compassionate care and support to people giving birth and families experiencing an unexpected pregnancy.
Yukon
Solstice Maternity (EN)
Solstice Maternity is a group of family physicians who are passionate about helping you bring your baby into the world. They provide prenatal and postpartum care to any and all people who need it in Yukon.
National – Perinatal Mental Health Supports
This blog includes online articles from people giving birth who have experienced perinatal mental health challenges as well as peer support for those in need.
Indigenous Resources – Perinatal Services BC (EN)
These resources by Perinatal Services BC are developed with and for Indigenous Peoples and health professionals to support culturally safe care that improves health outcomes and honours Indigenous perspectives and traditions.
Canadian – General Mental Health Supports
Suicide Crisis Helpline (EN & FR)
Call 988– you will be linked to local emergency support
Canadian Mental Health Association (EN & FR)
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.
Government of Canada – Indigenous mental health (EN & FR)
Indigenous Services Canada provides information on mental health programs and services available to Indigenous communities across Canada. Additionally, the page offers resources related to suicide prevention, health support services for survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and details about the National Summit on Indigenous Mental Wellness.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (EN & FR)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) offers a comprehensive range of mental health resources and services to support individuals in crisis or seeking information. These include 24-hour crisis lines, specialized support services for specific communities such as Indigenous or transgender individuals, educational materials, and community resource sheets.
International Mental Health Supports
Black Moms Connection is a global online village and leading national non-profit providing financial support grants and culturally relevant resources to empower and educate Black women.
Perinatal support international (EN & FR; as well as 6 other languages)
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing. Their mission is to support individuals and families affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, such as postpartum depression and anxiety. Additionally, PSI hosts events like “The Climb,” the world’s largest event dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of perinatal mental health disorders.