BCAPOP Member-Only Perinatal Community of Practice: Perinatal Mental Illness: Recognizing and Responding (Online/Live)

In this session, participants will learn about, or deepen their understanding of, perinatal depression and postpartum psychosis and how to support birthing people experiencing them. The session will begin with descriptions of what it is like to experience perinatal depression and postpartum psychosis. We will then discuss how to recognize these illnesses, including options for informal and formal screening. Finally, we will cover ways to support families who are experiencing these illnesses.

Learning objectives:

- To  describe the signs and symptoms of perinatal depression and postpartum psychosis.

- To outline options for screening for perinatal mental illness, including considerations for implementation and limitations.

- To summarize management strategies for perinatal mental illnesses, including attention to support for a shared decision-making process.

Catriona Hippman, PhD, CGC (she/her)

Dr. Catriona Hippman, PhD, CGC, is a postdoctoral research fellow with the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the BC Women's Reproductive Mental Health Program, and the University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing. Her fellowship is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Michael Smith Health Research BC, the Killam Trusts, the University of Calgary Eyes High Program, and the BC Women's Health Foundation, and her research work is additionally supported by generous gifts from an anonymous donor and iA Financial Group. She was recently honored to receive the 2023 WHRI Early Career Researcher Award in Women’s Mental Health. Her fellowship work aims to elucidate strategies best suited to the Canadian context for the care of women experiencing acute postpartum mental illness, through parallel lines of both qualitative and quantitative inquiry into Canadian and international experiences.