In The Media

Essential News About the Gap in BC Perinatal Mental Health Care.

We keep adding the media coverage here so you can get the latest news with context.

This ongoing chronology is provided to support the efforts of advocates, families, professionals, and public servants who are shaping the future of perinatal mental health care in BC.

Bill M204 (2025) passes in B.C. Legislature

Perinatal and Postnatal Mental Health Strategy Act

VICTORIA BC, May 2025: This private member’s bill (Jody Toor, MLA, Langley Willowbrook, Conservative) passed third reading in the BC Legislative Assembly on May 26, 2025. It received Royal Assent May 29, 2025. See the Hansard Blues (below) for a transcript of the second reading debate on the morning of March 10, 2025.

BC Laws: Prenatal and Postnatal Mental Health Strategy Act →

2025 Progress of Bills →
BC Conservative Party Media Release – May 26/25 →
Committee Report on Bill M204 – May 12/25 →

Hansard Blues – Mar 10/25 (10:35 am) →

BC Parliament Buildings in Victoria with flowers and glowing white holiday lights

Perinatal Bill Commentary on CBC Radio

On The Coast — May 2025

Victoria-area Midwife Adrienne Carruthers speaks with host Gloria Macarenko

New law addresses need for mental health care for new and expecting mothers

Radio West — May 2025

Victoria-area Midwife Adrienne Carruthers speaks with Radio West host Sarah Penton

New law addresses need to improve mental health care for pregnant women and new mothers

B.C. bill on perinatal, postnatal mental health care receives rare unanimous support

Bill 204 would give province 1 year to create a strategy around universal access to support

VICTORIA BC, March 2025: British Columbia’s politicians have found rare common ground and given unanimous support in the legislature to a private member’s bill proposing universal access to mental health care for pregnant women and new mothers.

Full CBC Article →

Non Birthing Partners

Dads & Perinatal Mental Health

Saanich News – August 2024

Perinatal depression also affects non-birthing partners: Island Health doctor

Emotionally distressed young father seated on floor with arms holding his crossed legs together.

Island Health Logo

Island Health – June 2024

Canadian men’s mental health month — Exploring perinatal depression in men

VeryWellMind – June 2023

We Can’t Ignore Our Dads’ Mental Health, Even If They Try To

Young infant boy carried in arms of father

Island Perinatal Counselling Program Distraught young woman with hands on head and mouth

More support for pregnancy, infant loss needed, advocates say

Stigma remains despite up to 20% of pregnancies ending in miscarriage, 8 in 1,000 in stillbirth

BRITISH COLUMBIA, July 2024: [Warning: This story contains distressing details about pregnancy and infant loss.]
Just days after Nicole Shannon told her family that she was pregnant, she went for a regular checkup and learned she had an ectopic pregnancy. She had to have emergency surgery to end the pregnancy. It was her eighth pregnancy loss in six years.

Full CBC Article →

Island Health cuts funding for postpartum depression counselling program

Health care workers concerned over lack of postpartum depression supports in Greater Victoria

VICTORIA BC, March 2020: After 20 years of offering counselling to women struggling with postpartum depression, Traci McGee is still digesting the news that her program has lost all its public funding from Island Health.

Full CBC Article →

B.C. moms waiting to access advanced postpartum mood disorder treatment

Most B.C. jurisidctions have waits for reproductive mental health psychiatrists.

VICTORIA BC, November 2016: Grace Lore understands firsthand the struggle to access postpartum services. The mother of two gave birth to both her children in Vancouver. After receiving extensive and ‘incredible care’ at B.C. Women’s Hospital in Vancouver, her family moved to Victoria. The staff at Women’s Hospital did not know where in the Capital Region to refer her, and she spent months just looking for a doctor…

Full CBC Article →

Michael McGee, Perinatal Care Coordinator

Call The Program
(778) 410-7000

Island Perinatal Counselling Program Six Perinatal Counsellors and Network Associates

Meet Counsellors In The Network

Forest clearing shaped like a dollar sign

Essential News About the Gap in BC Perinatal Mental Health Care.

We keep adding the media coverage here so you can get the latest news with context.