title: MotherFirst: developing a maternal mental health strategy in Saskatchewan.
abstract: Up to 20% of women experience maternal mental health problems, but most jurisdictions lack policy for prevention, identification and treatment. To address this gap, a multi-stakeholder working group formed in Saskatchewan, Canada. As a result, the MotherFirst project emerged to create policies to improve the mental healthcare of mothers and to increase public and professional awareness. This paper critically analyzes the project using a policy cycle framework that can inform similar policy development. It explores the strengths of diverse partnerships, relationship building and public awareness campaigns, and the challenges that were encountered in the decision-making and implementation stages.
authors: Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
authors: Lindsey
authors: L
authors: Bruce
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Béland
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Bowen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011050:Policy Making; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012525:Saskatchewan
references: Can J Psychiatry. 2009 Jun;54(6):399-408
references: 19527560
references: Psychosom Med. 2001 Sep-Oct;63(5):830-4
references: 11573032
references: Chronic Dis Can. 2001;22(1):18-23
references: 11397346
references: J Affect Disord. 2004 May;80(1):65-73
references: 15094259
references: Br J Psychiatry. 2005 May;186:367-8
references: 15863739
references: J Epidemiol Community Health. 2009 May;63(5):414-6
references: 19155236
references: Psychol Med. 2006 Dec;36(12):1663-70
references: 16863595
references: J Adv Nurs. 2004 Jan;45(1):26-35
references: 14675298
references: Am J Perinatol. 2003 Jul;20(5):239-48
references: 13680507
references: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004 Aug;158(8):721-9
references: 15289242
references: J Affect Disord. 1990 May;19(1):31-5
references: 2140844