People suffering from perinatal mental illness are poorly served by the Canadian health care system. According to a recent report from the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative entitled Time for Action: Why Canada Needs A National Perinatal Mental Health Strategy Now More Than Ever, 95% of health care practitioners believe that perinatal mental health services are insufficient in Canada.
On June 3, Don introduced Bill C-306 An Act respecting a national perinatal mental health strategy in the House of Commons.
This bill would require the Minister of Health to develop a national strategy to promote perinatal mental health across Canada including universal access to perinatal mental health screening during pregnancy and the post-partum period, timely treatment and increased research funding.
The mental health of parents has a profound impact on our society as whole. When moms and dads get the help they need, this leads to healthier children, families and communities.
It's time for a National Perinatal Mental Health Strategy!