Maternal mental illness has a profound impact on all aspects of a mother’s life and affects her infant, other children and partner. Depression during the postpartum period is estimated to affect up to 15% of mothers. Postpartum Depression (PPD) screening standardization was identified as a priority in the Government of Alberta’s Valuing Mental Health Strategy.

In 2013, to support this priority, Healthy Children and Families in partnership with Addiction & Mental Health established a multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary provincial governance structure to complete the policy process. In collaboration with provincial and zone stakeholders, physicians and the public, the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Public Health PPD Policy Suite was developed to facilitate a standardized nursing assessment, opportunistic screening, referral and surveillance within public health at the first regular Well Child Clinic (WCC) visit.

A comprehensive evaluation is planned for one year post implementation.

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