1. Mothers’ Mental Health Toolkit
A Resource for the Community
Public Health Agency of Canada – National Projects Fund

2. Agenda for today Welcome and Introductions Activity #1
Introduction to the Toolkit
What’s inside and chapters of this Toolkit
Lunch
Practice using the Toolkit with Case Scenarios
Activity #2
Video
Closing and Goodbye’s

3. Introductions Please tell us your name and where you work.
Share what inspires you in your interactions with the clients you work with.

4. A Look at Mental Illness…

5. If you are experiencing an ear ache…
What might your symptoms be?
Who might you tell?
When might you seek help?

6. If you are experiencing depression…
What might your symptoms be?
Who might you tell?
When might you seek help?

7. Mental Health Issues
Mental illness is a mental/behavioral pattern or anomaly that causes either suffering or an impaired ability to function.
Biological, Psychological and Social factors contribute to mental illness.
Mental health can be seen on a continuum:
Healthy
Reacting
Injured
Illness

8. Maternal Mental Health Problems
Mental Health Diagnosis Pre-Pregnancy
New Mental Health Problem During Pregnancy or First Year After Birth
Severe Adjustment Difficulties
Personality Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Spectrum
Concurrent Addictions
Attachment Disturbances
Complex Case/High Risk Contributors
Disorders listed and defined in the
Toolkit (pg )

9. Mothers’ Mental Health Toolkit
Public resource for community service providers and families for education, advocacy, and treatment support for mothers with mental health problems.
Developed by Dr. Joanne MacDonald (Psychiatrist, Project Lead) and Colleen Flynn , MSW RSW (Clinical Therapist, Content Lead) of Reproductive Mental Health Service, IWK Health Services in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Revised and training developed for CAPC and CPNP programs through funding from National Projects Fund by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

10. Toolkit Project Values:
Health Promoting
Mental Health Literacy
Community Informed
Family Centered
Strengths Based
Support Enhancing
Knowledge Sharing
Collaborative Care & Intervention

11. What makes a women vulnerable for Maternal Mental Health Problems

12. Vulnerability & Risk Determinants
Poverty
Low level of support / isolation
Family conflict/disruption
Trauma
Poor Housing
Transportation limitations
Education deficits
Unemployment
Previous Mental Health Problems
Family History of Mental Illness/Addictions

13. Promoting Mothers’ Mental Health
Well Mother
Healthy Child
Strong Community

14. Mother’s Mental Health is critical to Infant Attachment and Development

15. Infant Attachment & Development Contributes to Risk of Child Mental Illness and Behaviour Problems

16. Mothers’ Mental Health Toolkit

17. What’s Inside?
Maternal Mental Health Education for Community Service Providers (long sidebars)
Worksheets for Use with Mothers (short sidebars)
Wellness to Illness Recognition
Resources for Mothers and their Caregivers

18. What isn’t in the toolkit?
Depth of Diversity Applications
Cultural Specificity
Mental Health Treatment or Intervention
Limited Rural/Remote Tools
Languages Other than English/French
Replacements for
Mental Health Services

19. Chapters of the Toolkit
Ch. 1 Mothers’ Wellness and Self-Care
Ch. 2 The Mothering Role
Ch. 3 Understanding Mother’s Mental Health
Ch. 4 Assessment and Screening
Ch. 5 Intervention and Treatments
Ch. 6 Supporting Recovery
Ch. 7 Community Action

20. Chapter 1 – Mothers’ Wellness and Self Care
The toolkit begins with a chapter on wellness that was designed for use by the mother.
Topics in this chapter include:
Body Health
Nutrition, fitness and sleep
Mental Health
Relaxation and stress management
Emotional Health
Substance use and Self Development

21. Examples of Worksheets
Self-Care Checklist  Food and Feelings Diary
Your Body Health is Important  My Exercise Ideas

22. Worksheets and Information sheets on Stress Management and Relaxation Practices

23. More Worksheets for Mothers
 Exploring My Substance Use  Balancing Needs and Saving Energy  Substance Use Checklist  What Kind of Person Can I Become

24. Chapter 2 – The Mothering Role
Chapter 2 looks at the changes a women might feel becoming a new mother and her support system.
Topics in this chapter include:
Definitions/realities of motherhood
Attachment development
Building social supports
Emotional coping strategies
Relationship health
Parenting

25. Examples of Worksheets
 The Many Hats of Motherhood  Connections That Count
Common Thoughts About Motherhood  Your Partner Relationship
Helping Ourselves to Calm and Relax  It Takes a Village (Living with Parents)

26. Examples of Information Sheets
Attachment Development  Tiny Baby, Big Changes
Building a Strong Bond with Your Baby  Strategies for Positive Communication
Emotional Coping Strategies  Parenting Through Depression

27. Examples of Checklists and Tips
Do What Helps Us Parent Top 10 Tips for a Partner / Co-Parent
Tips for Helping: Providing Support to a Vulnerable Mother
Child Outcomes: How Do You Know Your Child has Good Mental Health

28. Chapter 3 – Understanding Mothers’ Mental Health
Chapter 3 considers the Dimensions of Health and Wellness in body, thoughts and feelings. This chapter has more sections dedicated to the service provider than in previous chapters and begins to look at mental illness including:
Causes and Contributions
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnostic Possibilities

29. Information sheets for service providers including: Mental Health, Family Violence, Risk Factors for Illness, and Determinants of Progress or Outcome.

30. Worksheets for mothers including: Abuse and Safety Planning, Power and Control Wheels, and Risk Factors for Pregnancy or Postpartum Mental Health Problems.

31. Causes and Contributions, Signs and Symptoms, and Diagnostic Possibilities {Note: The information given is not to be used to diagnose clients.}

32. Chapter 4 – Assessment and Screening
Chapter 4 has information on Developing Cultural Awareness and Competency and tips for working with Newcomers. You will also find:
Perinatal Mental Health Assessment
Postpartum checklist
Edinburgh Postnatal
Depression Scale

35. Chapter 5 – Intervention and Treatments
Chapter 5 is dedicated to the service provider and offers information on General Interventions, Therapy Principles, and Medications.
{This information is not meant to replace medical interventions; it is given to assist supporting service providers with knowledge.}

36. Increased knowledge among service providers of mental health issues, diagnoses, and treatments helps to reduce stigma and encourage women toward valuing their wellness and seeking recovery from illness.

37. Chapter 6 – Supporting Recovery
This chapter has many worksheets for the mother that can assist her in moving forward with goal planning and healthy thinking.

38. In addition to these worksheets, this chapter offers:  Connecting to Mental Health Services  Involvement with the Department of Community Services  If Your Children Have Been Taken Out of Your Care

39. Chapter 7 – Community Action
Chapter 7 was designed for the Service Provider with a list of ideas and suggestions for collaborative mental health care as well as examples of initiatives underway already working well.

40. Importance of Front Line Staff Learning about Mental Illness
Mental Health For All, By All

41. Now let’s see what the Toolkit has for you…
Break into small groups
Review the case study
Answer the questions together as a group
Share what your
group discussed with
everyone else

42. Case Study #1 - Samira
Provide a brief description of the mother, history, problems (whatever you want to bring out).
What are some possible challenges/issues that she might be facing?
What would you like to know more about working with this mother?
What could be the role for you or your organization in the mental health of this mother?
How might you use the Toolkit Resource with this mom?

43. Case Study #2 - Julie
Provide a brief description of the mother, history, problems (whatever you want to bring out).
What are some possible challenges/issues that she might be facing?
What would you like to know more about working with this mother?
What could be the role for you or your organization in the mental health of this mother?
How might you use the Toolkit Resource with this mom?

44. Case Study #3 - Kerry
Provide a brief description of the mother, history, problems (whatever you want to bring out).
What are some possible challenges/issues that she might be facing?
What would you like to know more about working with this mother?
What could be the role for you or your organization in the mental health of this mother?
How might you use the Toolkit Resource with this mom?

45. Think of a secret that you have…

46. The Real World We Live In

47. Closing and Goodbye
Go around the room and say what your thoughts are on the toolkit.
What did you like about it most?
Do you have any questions?
Evaluations on the table, please fill one out.