TORONTO, ON: February 12, 2025 – A newly published set of clinical practice guidelines is the first in Canada to focus specifically on the diagnosis and treatment of mood, anxiety, and related disorders during pregnancy and postpartum.
Published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Related Disorders recognizes perinatal mental health as a public health priority, aiming to improve early identification and provide treatment recommendations in clinical practice across the entire patient journey.
The project was co-led by Drs. Simone Vigod, Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Women’s College Hospital, and Benicio Frey, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University in consultation with an interdisciplinary team of expert researchers, frontline healthcare providers, persons with lived experience (PWLE), and advisory panels from across Canada. The guideline fills a critical gap in clinical care. It’s estimated that only 20 per cent of affected Canadians receive the care that they need to treat their perinatal mood, anxiety and related disorders (PMADs).
Guideline recommendations are organized based on the type and severity of symptoms, as well as their proven effectiveness. Healthcare providers are encouraged to allow ample time to discuss the risks, side effects and expected benefits of different treatment options with their patients. Options can include lifestyle changes, such as protecting sleep and taking part in physical activity, peer support, therapy and medication.
Today, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, joined Drs. Vigod, Frey, and a number of stakeholders in announcing the guidelines’ publication.
Accompanying this milestone, the team is also releasing “Seeds of Hope: A Patient and Family Guide,” a complementary resource designed to empower individuals and their support networks with accessible, practical information about perinatal mental health.
Mood and anxiety disorders like depression are some of the most common conditions that require management during the perinatal period. If left unaddressed, PMADS can affect the health and well-being of parents, their children and their families. Seeking help early can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.
The guideline and patient guide are based on a thorough review of systematic studies and prioritize high-quality research aiming to serve as a valuable tool for clinicians not only in Canada but worldwide to help optimize clinical outcomes in the area of perinatal mental health.
Quotes
“Depression, anxiety, and related issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are some of the most common complications of pregnancy and postpartum, the perinatal period. Until now, healthcare practitioners in our country have not had clear guidance on how best to deliver mental health care for perinatal mood, anxiety and related disorders. There was also little clarity for people experiencing perinatal mental health problems on what they should expect when they sought out help. We hope that this new clinical guideline, developed by a large group of Canadian health professionals with direct input from Canadians with lived experience of perinatal mental illness, will lead to a high-quality standard of care for all.”
Dr. Simone Vigod, Project co-lead. Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Women’s College Hospital, and Dr. Benicio Frey, Project co-lead. Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, Psychiatrist and Academic Head of the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
“Welcoming a baby is lifechanging, and coping with change isn’t always easy. Getting help is the most important thing a parent can do for themselves and their loved ones. The resources published today provide a great starting point to understanding what kind of help is available, and empowers healthcare providers and their patients to make informed, evidence-based decisions about how to effectively manage and treat perinatal mood disorders in ways that promote well-being and are safe for the parent and baby.”
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
“These guidelines are extremely important and will be useful for all practicing clinicians in perinatal care. They have the first such guidelines based on evidence but also supplemented by expert opinion of practicing clinicians and researchers. It is a monumental work, and we are proud to present it to the professional community.”
Dr. Roumen Milev
Executive Chair, Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT)
“These guidelines would be most welcomed by clinicians as they review all the evidence carefully, consider safety and tolerability for each treatment, and provide pragmatic consensus recommendations for managing patients with perinatal mood disorders; thus these guidelines will have significant impact on supporting evidence based care for people with perinatal mood disorders not only in Canada but also for those in other parts of the world”.
Dr. Lakshmi Yatham, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
“As a person with lived experience and as a fierce advocate of perinatal mental health, I truly hope to see these guidelines put into practice by health care practitioners immediately. Lives are at stake as well as the health and well-being of present and future generations. I know all too well the consequences of inadequate care. Now that we have these guidelines, anyone at risk for or suffering from a perinatal mental illness should expect nothing less than timely access to prevention and treatment.”
Patricia Tomasi
Person with lived experience of PMAD