Tackling perinatal depression: A networking forum
On Wednesday, April 20th the North Shore Perinatal Depression Committee hosted a networking forum entitled Tackling Perinatal Depression. The North Shore’s Medical Health Officer Dr. Mark Lysyshyn gave a keynote presentation on the social determinants of health as they relate to depression in the perinatal period (during pregnancy and 1 year postpartum). This informative presentation highlighted suggestions for the prevention of depression by focusing on social determinants of health. The importance of ensuring that children develop strong relationships between 0-5 years old was emphasized.
-
- Participants Marianne Brophy (Lactation Consultant), Shauna Mokelki (Family Services of the NS) and Jessica Dragojevich (LGH SW)
-
- Presenters: Susan Thack (Community Mental Health), Dr Mark Lysyshyn (MHO), and Joan Brown (Public Health)
The forum was well attended by many community service providers and included representation from; the BC Women’s Reproductive Mental Health program, the St. Paul’s Reproductive Mental Health program, the Pacific Postpartum Support Society, MCFD, Infant Mental Health, NS Family Services, Community Mental Health, Infant Development program, Lions Gate Hospital Perinatal Services, Public Health, psychiatrists and clinical counselors.
The forum provided community service providers an opportunity to discuss services available to women with perinatal depression and share ideas about what the needs are. There was strong support for a reproductive mental health program on the North Shore. The need for universal depression screening by health care providers was highlighted. It is estimated that between 10 – 20% of women will develop perinatal depression.
Tierney Ness
Hi, Joan!
Great to see you in the VCH News! You seem to be showing up everywhere in my life these days!!
I was singing with the Universal Gospel Choir at a benefit concert for Spectrum on April 18th, and there you were on the video presentation at the start of our show! It was so nice to see you and I felt proud to know you and Sally (our boys playe soccer together a million years ago). What a great cause and we were happy to do our outreach bit for them.
Are you still singing too? Janet Warren came to one of our Christmas performances and it was nice to see her again.
Would love to have tea and catch up sometime if you have the time. I am still on Brockton Crescent.
Singing Nurses Rule!!! 🙂
Take good care, Joan!
T. xox