Uniting Newfoundland and Labrador to advance perinatal mental health

Perinatal Mental Health Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (PMHANL)

“Newfoundland and Labrador has the second highest rate of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in the country,” says Dr. Archana Vidyasankar, perinatal psychiatrist and chair of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador. “We realized that there were individuals and organizations that wanted to do more for perinatal mental health or were already doing great work, and there was an opportunity to unite our efforts.”

After several years of informal conversations, PMHANL launched in 2020 to formalize a coordinated approach among perinatal mental health stakeholders. “There are institutional and community supports but no real bridge to know what others are doing between these two worlds,” explains Archana.

“This issue impacts so many groups across government, healthcare, and community, and communicating the same message is so important to advancing the issue.”

Last year, the Alliance developed a strategic plan and formed a new Board of Directors. They were also pivotal in including perinatal mental health in the province’s suicide prevention strategy and in the formation of a government task force. “What’s amazing about our province is the relationships that can be built – it’s not a far reach to communicate with those in government or high up healthcare positions.”

For Maria Gentle, Executive Director at PMHANL’s backbone organization, YWCA St. John’s, the Alliance’s work is far-reaching. “When we lift up the voice of women and gender-diverse people, we know the ripple effects this can have on the wellbeing of communities and families across the province. Our collaboration works because of our shared values and vision for gender equity.”