MotherFirst: Developing a Maternal Mental Health Strategy in Saskatchewan

Abstract

up to 20% of women experience maternal mental health problems, but most jurisdictions lack policy for prevention, identification and treatment. To address this gap, a multi-stakeholder working group formed in saskatchewan, Canada. As a result, the motherfirst project emerged to create policies to improve the mental healthcare of mothers and to increase public and professional awareness. This paper critically analyzes the project using a policy cycle framework that can inform similar policy development. It explores the strengths of diverse partnerships, relationship building and public awareness campaigns, and the challenges that were encountered in the decision-making and implementation stages. RésuméPrès de 20% des femmes éprouvent des problèmes de santé mentale liés à la maternité. Pourtant dans la plupart des provinces, il y a un manque de prévention, de dépistage et de traitement concertant ces problèmes. Pour corriger cette situation, on a créé un groupe de travail à intervenants multiples en saskatchewan (Canada). de cette initiative est né le projet motherfirst, qui vise à établir des politiques pour améliorer les soins de santé mentale maternelle et pour accroî-tre la sensibilisation du public et des professionnels. Cet article propose une discussion critique du projet, effectuée à l' aide d'un cadre d' analyse sur les cycles de politiques, qui peut éclairer l' élaboration de ce type de politiques. L' article examine les points forts des divers partenariats, des relations entre acteurs des campagnes de sensibilisation publique. Il examine également les défis rencontrés au cours de la prise de décision et pendant les étapes de mise en oeuvre.

Moms in motion: Predicting healthcare utilization patterns among mothers in Newfoundland and Labrador

“…[ 65 , 104 ]. Consistent with previous research suggesting that motherhood may motivate help-seeking behaviour, increases in mothers’ mental health symptomatology was associated with increased likelihood of initiating HSU and decreases in overall health were associated with continued HSU [ 97 – 99 , 105 – 107 ].…”

“…This is concerning given that duration of untreated mental illness is associated with poor outcomes among those who experience serious (e.g., psychosis, bipolar disorder) and common mental illnesses (e.g., depression, anxiety) [ 94 – 96 ]. Additionally, untreated mental illness is associated with overuse of primary care services, loss of wages and workplace productivity, and poorer physical health [ 97 – 99 ]. Previous research suggests that a high percentage of individuals report initially looking to their primary care physician for mental health support [ 99 , 100 ].…”

Prenatal Maternal Anxiety as a Risk Factor for Preterm Birth and the Effects of Heterogeneity on This Relationship: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Preterm birth (PTB), commonly defined as delivery that occurs at a gestational age less than 37 weeks, poses a public health concern since critically underdeveloped infants are at a higher risk for neonatal mortality and survivor morbidity [ 1 – 3 ]. Preterm infants require longer hospital stays and are hospitalized more often as they are at risk for major health complications in infancy, development, and paediatric problems through childhood and chronic diseases in adulthood [ 3 , 4 ]. Substantial attention has been paid to the role of prenatal maternal mental health problems in the aetiology of PTB.…”

“…Maternal mental health is a state of well-being in which a mother can cope and work productively against life stressors [ 4 ]. Maternal mental health problems include depression, anxiety, and stress.…”