Perinatal Mental Health Program

Our team provides mental health treatment for individuals experiencing symptoms of daily sadness or heightened worry, trouble functioning in daily activities or lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

We also provide care to those with a history of a psychiatric disorder to help prevent a relapse during pregnancy or postpartum and manage new challenges as they arise.  

We treat a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and substance use disorders.

Our program is led by an interprofessional team of psychiatrists and mental health clinicians.

Please talk to your health-care provider if you are concerned about any of the following symptoms:

• Feeling depressed or irritable much of the time
• Bouts of crying
• Sleep disturbances
• Loss of appetite
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Fatigue, apathy or loss of energy
• Loss of self-esteem and self-confidence
• Poor concentration
• Avoiding going out
• Frightening intrusive thoughts or images
• Obsessive thoughts or behaviours
• Negative feelings about motherhood
• Negative feelings towards the baby
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

For more information on perinatal mental health, visit the following resources.

• Healthy Babies Healthy Children 
• MotherToBaby 
• Postpartum Support International

What to expect

The first step in getting care is often a mental health assessment. This assessment helps our team understand the challenges you are facing and how we can best help. We may talk to you on the phone and ask you to fill in some questionnaires.

We will work with you to develop a care plan that is specific to your needs. Your treatment may include any of the following:

• Community resources, such as public health, peer support groups or parent-and-baby drop-in programs
• Group psychotherapy led by a mental health professional, where you can meet people who are struggling with similar issues
• Further assessment with a mental health professional  
• Psychiatric assessment with a physician
• Medication options

Appointments are offered in-person and virtually.  

Please note we are a teaching hospital, so you may see medical students, residents or other medical trainees as part of your care team. Learners are supervised by other members of our dedicated health-care team who work together to provide you with comprehensive care.

What to bring

• Health (OHIP) card or valid health-care coverage  
• A list of your current medications
• The list of any previous mental health providers you have seen (psychiatrists or therapists) and any reports

How to access our services

You will need a referral from a physician, nurse practitioner or Toronto Public Health nurse and to be receiving perinatal care at Sinai Health to access our clinic. See our referral criteria for more information.