Canada to invest C$1.2m in postnatal mental health support

The Canadian government will dedicate C$1.2m to supporting postpartum women in Asian and South Asian immigrant communities.

Wilson Miao, Member of Parliament for Richmond Centre on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, has announced the funding to the United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society, commonly know as S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

The money will help S.U.C.C.E.S.S. enhance referral processes from physicians and midwives to community supports, including mental health services, for diverse immigrant communities in the Tri-Cities region of British Columbia.

Authorities hopes that this will ensure that postpartum women and their families from across the province have access to the best possible culturally relevant and trauma-informed health care and support from their service providers.

This announcement is part of a C$100m investment provided in Budget 2021 to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic, including youth, seniors, black and other racialised people and front-line and other essential workers.

“Almost one quarter of mothers in Canada experience mental health challenges following birth. It is critical that these serious conditions are not dismissed and that people experiencing them, or who are at risk, receive the specialised care and support they need,” said Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

“Today’s funding will help the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. project ensure more immigrant and newcomer women and their families in B.C receive the most appropriate mental health care, from the most appropriate provider, at the most appropriate time.”

Wilson Miao, Member of Parliament, Richmond Centre, said: “This programme supports service providers to promote positive mental health among postpartum women.

“I want to thank S.U.C.C.E.S.S. for their ongoing work to bring awareness to maternal mental health and reduce the stigma around getting mental health supports.”

Queenie Choo, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. CEO, added: “On behalf of the communities we serve, I’m grateful for the Government of Canada’s investment in the mental health of Asian and South Asian immigrant women and their families in B.C. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has been providing culturally-appropriate individual and family counselling services and mental health help lines for many years and we understand the stigmas that still prevent people from seeking help.

“Working directly with postpartum women and their medical service providers will enable us to better connect them to community supports and ensure no one falls through the cracks.”

New statistics suggest almost one-quarter of mothers in Canada experience either postpartum depression or an anxiety disorder in the months following birth.

The data from Statistics Canada found 23 per cent reported feelings consistent with either postpartum depression or an anxiety disorder — feelings that are more intense and longer-lasting than the so-called “baby blues” and may not resolve on their own.

The government says community-based projects focussed on mental health promotion have the potential to improve health outcomes over the life course and help reduce demands on the health care system.

To support the projects funded through the new investment, Renison University College, at the University of Waterloo, will be hosting a Knowledge Development and Exchange Hub for Mental Health Promotion (KDE Hub) to help building a community with shared interests in optimising mental health promotion and mental illness prevention across the country.

The Wellness Together Canada portal will provide free access to educational content, self-guided therapy, moderated peer-to-peer support, and one-to-one counselling with qualified health professionals.

Kids Help Phone is also available 24/7 with e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French.