Postpartum depression phone line extended to support women in rural coastal communities

VANCOUVER, BC – The Pacific Post Partum Support Society, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health, have launched a new, toll-free support line that will allow women and their partners in rural coastal communities to access help when the arrival of a new baby brings on feelings of sadness and anxiety.

The number -- 1-855-255-7999 – is accessible toll-free from the communities on the Sunshine Coast and Sea to Sky corridor, in Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. Callers will have access to help in Punjabi and Farsi if required. The Pacific Post Partum Support Society has offered a similar service to women and their families in the Lower Mainland for several years.

“Perinatal depression often goes hand-in-hand with social isolation and distress,” said Sheila Duffy, program manager, Pacific Post Partum Support Society. “If post partum depression is left untreated it can have lasting effects on the entire family. In its most severe form, it may even lead to maternal suicide. Phone support can be the first step in reaching out and is especially important in rural communities where it may even be harder for mothers to leave the house and access treatment or support.”

Perinatal depression affects a woman's health and ability to care for herself and her new baby. One in five women in BC will experience depression during pregnancy or within the first year after the birth of their child. Often perinatal depression goes unrecognized and untreated.

The toll-free help line is part of a regional perinatal depression strategy that recognizes education, prevention and early intervention as key to ensuring the continued good health of women and their families during pregnancy and after the arrival of a new baby. The toll-free help line is an important link to connect rural women with the help they need.  

“Vancouver Coastal Health offers many excellent resources and services to women and their families suffering from perinatal depression,” Yasmin Jetha, regional director, Mental Health and Addiction Services, VCH. “These services are provided by physicians, staff and community partners. The goal of the new strategy is to provide timely, comprehensive information to women and their families so they are aware of perinatal depression services and programs and can access them in a timely manner.”

This initiative builds on the provincial government’s recent announcement of the $23-million Healthy Start program to enhance public health perinatal and child health prevention services by standardizing public health services. That program focuses pregnancy and parenting support on the families who would benefit the most from intensive follow-up.

The Pacific Post Partum Support Society has been supporting women and their families experiencing postpartum distress, depression and anxiety for almost 40 years. The society provides comprehensive supports for women experiencing postpartum depression through a variety of programs and services available across the Lower Mainland.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.9 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.


CONTACT:
Trudi Beutel
Vancouver Coastal Health, Public Affairs Officer
Tel: (604) 708. 5282  Cell: (604) 812-1847
Email: trudi.beutel@vch.ca
   

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