The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $100,000 annually in the Saskatchewan Perinatal Health Network (SaskPHN) to establish a province-wide maternal mental health support program. The initiative will offer free in-person and virtual peer support services for new and expecting parents across Saskatchewan, providing access to compassionate care during pregnancy and early parenthood.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr emphasized that the funding aims to ensure families have safe spaces to connect, share experiences, and receive support for the life-changing journey of pregnancy and childbirth. SaskPHN, formerly the Regina Perinatal Health Network, assists women and partners who experience or are at risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
The new funding will expand the network’s outreach beyond Regina, introduce an online booking system, and increase the availability of virtual appointments. Program Coordinator Lin Carr highlighted that the support will address social isolation, coordinate care across multiple agencies, and provide trauma-informed perinatal mental health support from prenatal stages through the first few years postpartum.
Parents in need of assistance can access information and book appointments through the SaskPHN website. The program is part of a broader provincial strategy to enhance maternal mental health and overall family well-being throughout pregnancy and the early years of child-rearing.
In addition to this initiative, the province funds the Wellbeing Course for New and Expecting Parents through the University of Regina’s Online Therapy Unit, which includes resources for non-birthing parents. Saskatchewan has also increased annual funding to HealthLine 811 by $6.6 million for 2025-26 to support nurse and counsellor positions addressing mental health, addictions, and maternal mental health. The Ministry of Health is collaborating with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to establish a maternal mental health coordinator position at 811 to further strengthen support services.
