Overview

Almost 15% of women will suffer from some degree of postpartum depression and other postpartum mood disorders (PPMD) after the birth of a baby. There is help. In March, 2007, the Best Start Resource Centre launched a province-wide campaign about PPMD - www.lifewithnewbaby.ca.

The main audience of interest for this campaign is pregnant women and those who have recently given birth. We also plan to include their families and health care providers. The goals of the campaign are to raise awareness, clarify misconceptions about what PPMD is, and to encourage women experiencing symptoms of PPMD to seek help.

The provincial campaign will concentrate on 3 main areas:

Provincial Media - Best Start Resource Centre will send comprehensive media kits to Ontario newspapers, radio and TV stations, and will purchase transit and mall advertising.
Health Care Providers - Best Start Resource Centre will share comprehensive, evidence-based information and resources with family physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives and obstetricians.
Local Activities - Best Start Resource Centre invites you to take part in the provincial campaign in your community. Check back to this site often for information, ideas, and on-line resources to help you develop local activities that will complement the provincial initiative.

Key Messages

The key messages for this provincial campaign are:

Life with a new baby is not always easy
Postpartum mood disorders are common after childbirth.
Mothers with symptoms of postpartum mood disorders are not at fault and are not bad mothers.
Postpartum mood disorders can affect baby, too.
Postpartum mood disorders can be treated.
Early treatment and support increases the rate and speed of recovery.

To find out more about postpartum mood disorders visit:

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Postpartum Depression: A Guide for Front-line Health and Social Service Providers
http://www.camh.net/Publications/CAMH_Publications/Postpartum_Depression/

A comprehensive guide that includes the best and most current studies to date on postpartum depression as well as practical experience from the field. The Guide was a collaboration between The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Journey Support Services, the University Health Network, Toronto Public Health and the Best Start Resource Centre.

The Pacific Post Partum Support Society
http://www.postpartum.org
A website for mothers experiencing post partum related mood disorders. The site offers information and suggestions for assistance.

Our Sister's Place
http://www.oursistersplace.ca

Our Sister's Place is a Toronto-based organization that provides peer support, public education and professional resources on the topic of mood disorders associated with hormonal change. The website offers an online postpartum depression support group.

Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
http://www.rnao.org/Page.asp?PageID=861&SiteNodeID=133

Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Nursing Best Practice Guidelines Program with links to resources and other information on postpartum depression.

Postpartum Support International
http://www.postpartum.net

A website for mothers and fathers experiencing post partum related mood disorders. The site offers information and suggestions for assistance.

The Postpartum Stress Centre
http://www.postpartumstress.com

The Postpartum Stress Center is a US-based facility and website that offers structured and self-help supports for women and their families living with postpartum depression.

What your community can do:

The Best Start Resource Centre invites you to take part in the provincial campaign by planning local activities in your community. Check back often for information about the PPMD campaign. We'll share ideas, information, and on-line resources to help you develop local strategies that will complement the provincial initiative.

For more information contact Hiltrud Dawson .

The Best Start Resource Centre is a key program of the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse (OPC) and is funded by the Government of Ontario. We are also a member of the Ontario Health Promotion Resource System.