St. Joe’s Dr. Benicio Frey has co-led the development of the first ever clinical practice guidelines for managing perinatal mood, anxiety and related disorders (PMADs), an area of practice that historically has not been focused on in medical training.  

Mental health issues are some of the most common conditions diagnosed in the perinatal period (pregnancy, postpartum and the first year after childbirth). Up to 20 per cent of people will experience PMADs, yet there has not been extensive education in this area available for practitioners in Canada. 

To address this gap, the new Canadian clinical practice guidelines will support clinicians with early identification, diagnosis and treatment. 

“Women’s health has been neglected for too long, and women’s mental health has been neglected even more. The perinatal period is a particularly vulnerable time with many big changes and unique challenges that can impact mental health,” says Dr. Frey, academic head of St. Joe's women's health concerns clinic. 

“All clinicians involved in perinatal care, including psychiatrists, psychologists, family physicians, midwives, nurses, obstetricians, pediatricians, psychotherapists, social workers and others, need clear guidance for how to assess, treat and manage PMADs so they can provide high quality, excellent care to this patient population with confidence.”  

Dr. Benicio Frey, academic head of St. Joe's women's health concerns clinic, co-led the development of the first ever clinical practice guidelines for managing perinatal mood, anxiety and related disorders.

PMADs can include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis. Risks of untreated or undertreated PMADs include prolonged parental depression, dissatisfaction or conflict in relationships, negative impacts on parent-infant interaction or attachment, and potential negative impacts on child development. 

These conditions are treatable and seeking help early can help with decreasing the burden and consequences of PMADs for mothers and their families. 

Dr. Frey also contributed to the development of “Seeds of Hope: A Patient and Family Guide” to help new and expectant parents who may be experiencing shame or fear to better understand PMAD symptoms and treatment options and feel empowered to engage in conversations about their mental health with their healthcare providers. 

Funded by Health Canada and released in February 2025, the clinical guidelines and patient and family guide were created in consultation with researchers, frontline healthcare providers, persons with lived experience and advisory panels from across Canada.  

Click here to read more about the clinical guidelines published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Related Disorders. 

Click here to access the “Clinician Pocket Guide” version of the clinical guideline. 

Click here to read “Seeds of Hope: A Patient and Family Guide.” 

Click here to learn more about St. Joe’s women’s health concerns clinic.