Perinatal Mental Health
Building North America’s first inpatient Perinatal Mental Health Unit
Together with our donors, BC Women’s Health Foundation is raising $9 million to develop North America’s first acute inpatient unit for perinatal psychiatric patients, with an innovative model of care focused on keeping moms and babies together.
The Urgent Need to Support Perinatal Mental Health
2X
Rates of self-reported perinatal depression and anxiety doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic period and continue at this alarmingly increased rate today.
4TH
Suicide is the 4th leading cause of maternal death in Canada.
25%
1 in 4 of Canadian families are impacted by perinatal mental illness.
WITH THE RIGHT CARE, AT THE RIGHT TIME, BY THE RIGHT PROVIDERS, LIVES CHANGE.
BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre’s expert multidisciplinary Mental Health and Substance Use Team includes representation from psychiatrists, addictions medicine specialists, registered nurses, OB/GYN consultation, elders, peers, clinical social workers, dietitians and quality + safety staff.
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH UNIT will:
- Keep moms and babies safe during acute instability, accelerating recovery.
- Enable bonding and attachment to support infant brain development.
- Build caregivers’ confidence and skills through a holistic, supportive model.
- Connect parents with clinical resources to ensure safe, continued healing.
- Intervene early to break the cycle of intergenerational perinatal mental illness.
The Unit will also be a hub of excellence for clinical research to advance the future of care:
- Driving innovation and setting new standards for complex perinatal care.
- Translating research into evidence-based practices for care providers nationwide.
