Perinatal Mental Health Support

We support patients who are trying to conceive, experiencing a pregnancy loss, fertility challenges, and those who are pregnant and up to one year postpartum.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the most common complication of pregnancy, with about 15 to 20 percent of mothers and 10 percent of fathers experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety in the perinatal period.

Partners, caregivers, non-birthing parents, surrogates and those who experience pregnancy or infant loss can all be at risk for PMADs. Symptoms can begin at any time during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum.

We can support you with:

• Feeling anxious, angry, sad or irritable
• Feeling overwhelmed with the mental load of parenthood
• Feeling worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Distressing thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind
• Difficulty leaving the house 

This program is only available to patients of physicians at our Toronto site.

What to expect

We offer several different services to support your mental health.

Counselling

We offer eight to 12 goal-oriented evidence-based counselling sessions. Counselling appointments may be virtual or in-person and last 50 minutes. This service is available for patients of the Family Health Team (FHT) on an individual basis or as a couple/family.  

Support group

On the first Thursday of every month, our perinatal social workers host a postpartum support group over Zoom. No registration is required and all postpartum patients of the FHT are welcome. Patients can reach out to their care team or the email below for the link to join.

Postpartum phone call

If you are receiving pregnancy care at the FHT and not participating in the Group Prenatal Care Program, a member of our team will be in touch within the first few weeks following birth to see how you are recovering and feeling.  

Mental health screening

If you are receiving pregnancy care at the FHT, we will ask you to complete a mental health screening during your third trimester and at your 6 week postpartum checkup. If you are a patient of the FHT and coming for well-baby visits, we will ask you to complete a mental health screening at 6 months postpartum.  

How to access our services

Registered patients of the Mount Sinai Academic Family Health Team can be referred by their physician, prenatal care nurse, or midwife.

As a patient of the Family Health Team, you can also self-refer through the appointment booking line at 416-586-5158 or send an email directly to our Perinatal Mental Health Social Workers [email protected].