Whereas up to 20% of pregnant and postpartum women experience depression1, 24% experience anxiety2, and 0.1-0.2% become psychotic3 with First Nations women at a higher risk4, making maternal mental health problems the number one obstetrical problem;
Whereas untreated maternal depression and anxiety can impact all aspects of an entire family and are associated with significant personal, social, and economic costs5, 6. There is an increased risk of pregnancy complications, preterm birth7, 8, impaired breastfeeding9, and attachment problems10. Children can experience lifelong health problems including developmental and cognitive difficulties11, 12. And 10% of partners experience depression, up to 75% if the woman is severely depressed 13, 14.
Whereas there is stigma towards mental health problems15 and confusion exists between normal emotions of motherhood and those that may indicate maternal mental health problems;
Whereas there are effective treatments to relieve maternal mental health problems, too many women remain unidentified. Tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale provide efficient universal screening16;
Whereas untreated women can become socially isolated or experience worsening problems, making it hard to reach out for help and those who live in rural or remote areas of Canada may find it difficult to access support. There is no consistency in awareness, screening, or treatments offered across Canada17;
Whereas it is essential to understand more about Maternal Mental Health problems and the promotion of Positive Maternal Mental Health that will improve the lives of Canadian women and their families;
Be it resolved that the Liberal Party of Canada develops a National Maternal Mental Health Strategy Bill to present to the Government of Canada;
Be is further resolved that the Liberal Party of Canada urge the Government of Canada to assure optimal health outcomes in our growing families through the establishment of a the National Maternal Mental Health Strategy, which includes universal depression screening during pregnancy and postpartum, education of public and professionals, a variety of treatments and supports such as a national hotline, preconceptual counselling, and research initiatives.
Liberal Party of Canada (Saskatchewan)
National Women’s Liberal Commission
References:
1. Heron, J, Haque, S, Oyebode, F, et al., A longitudinal study of hypomania and depression symptoms in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Bipolar Disorders 2009;11:410-417.
2. Levine, RE, Oandasan, AP, Primeau, LA, et al., Anxiety disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. American Journal of Perinatology 2003;20:239-248.
3. Brokington, I, Oates, M, and Rose, G, Postpartum psychosis. Journal of Affective Disorders 2002;19:31-35.
4. Bowen, A, Duncan, V, Peacock, S, et al., The state of the literature regarding depression, anxiety, and mood disorders in pregnant and postpartum First Nations, Inuit, and Indigenous women in North America (including Hawaii), Australia, and New Zealand. 2010, University of Saskatchewan: Saskatoon, SK.
5. O’Brien, L, Laporte, A, and Koren, G, Estimating economic costs of antidepressant discontinuation during pregnancy. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2009;54:399-408.
6. Stephens, T and Joubert, N, The economic burden of mental health problems in Canada. Chronic Diseases in Canada 2001;22:18-23.
7. Chung, TKH, Franzog, MD, Lau, TK, et al., Antepartum depressive symptomatology is associated with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Psychosomatic Medicine 2001;68:830-834.
8. Kurki, T, Hiilesmaa, V, Raitasalo, R, et al., Depression and anxiety in early pregnancy and risk for preeclampsia. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2000;95:487-90.
9. Henderson, JJ, Evans, SF, Straton, JAY, et al., Impact of postnatal depression on breastfeeding duration. Birth 2003;30:175-180.
10. Toth, SL, Rogosch, FA, Sturge-Apple, M, et al., Maternal depression, children’s attachment security, and representational development: an organizational perspective. Child Development 2009;80:192-208.
11. O’Connor, TG, Heron, J, Golding, J, et al., Maternal antenatal anxiety and children’s behavioural/emotional problems at 4 years: Report from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. British Journal of Psychiatry 2002;180:502-508.
12. Weinfield, NS, Ingerski, L, and Moreau, SC, Maternal and paternal depressive symptoms as predictors of toddler adjustment. Journal of Child & Family Studies 2009;18:39-47.
13. Paulson, J and Bazemore, S, Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: A meta-analysis Journal of the American Medical Association 2010;303:1961-1969.
14. Goodman, JH, Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and its implications for family health. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2004;45:26-35.
15. CBC. Stigma of mental illness common among Canadians: Report. 2008 [cited 2008 October 07]; Available from: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/08/15/mental-health.html.
16. Cox, JL, Holden, JM, and Sagovsky, R, Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry 1987;150:782-786.
17. Bowen, A and MotherFirst Working Group, MotherFirst. Maternal Mental Health Strategy: Building Capacity in Saskatchewan. 2010, University of Saskatchewan: Saskatoon. p. 54.
Pingback:
No comments on this one?? Truly an important resolution which I fully support
Dr. Ray Dawes
Health care is much broader than being able to see a Doctor or get treatment in the Hospital, it is about keeping people healthy and active. In order to do the full job it may, in meny instances be more efficient to have and element of private healthcare involved. It is who pays and how it is paid that is the key element here. I don’t think it is desirable to have people needing treatment and in a private clinic and it costing thousands of dollars. I feel people have a responsibility to themselves and to society to share the cost of keeping themselves healthy, just as I feel it is societies responsibility to keep its members healthy.
So who pays? I think people should pay into a government directed health care plan rather than buying suplemental health care for drug, glasses, dental, travel etc.