Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

March 25, 2024

From:
Dr. Ethan Toumishey
Medical Officer of Health and CEO
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

  1. Online perinatal mood disorder CBT program
  2. Clinical guideline for treating high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder

News & Updates

Online perinatal mood disorder cognitive behavioural therapy program

Do you have a client who is suffering from a perinatal mood disorder? Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is offering an online, evidence-based, group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program for pregnant and new parents with babies up to 12 months of age, who have been feeling depressed, down, or anxious. CBT principles offer a proven and effective means of understanding and reducing depressive or anxious symptoms. During this 9-week series participants will meet weekly in a virtual group setting with public health nurses to learn skills, strategies, and tools to help manage their depression and anxiety. The Public Health Nurses offering this CBT program received training from Dr. Ryan Van Lieshout, perinatal psychiatrist, and Associate Professor Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences Department at McMaster University, to ensure high program fidelity and quality implementation.

Each week will build on the knowledge and skills taught the week before and participants will be provided with a workbook where they can record their goals and progress. Here is a brief overview of what will be covered during the 9-week series:

  1. Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  2. Thinking Errors and Behavioural Activation
  3. Cognitive Restructuring
  4. Healthy Supportive Relationships
  5. Sleep and Relaxation
  6. Role Transitions
  7. Problem Solving
  8. Review of Strategies
  9. Relapse Prevention

How do I know if my client is eligible?

Eligibility criteria:

  • Female client over the age of 18
  • Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Score (EPDS) 10 or more
  • Child 12 months or younger or currently pregnant

Exclusion criteria:

  • EPDS less than 10 (but use clinical judgement)
  • EPDS greater than 20
  • An individual with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • An individual with bipolar disorder
  • An individual with borderline personality disorder
  • An individual with psychosis
  • An individual with active substance use
  • Positive score on question #10 on EPDS

Clients must reside within Hastings Prince Edward Public Health geographic area.

If you have an eligible client that would benefit from our 9-week CBT series, referrals can be completed on our website at Healthy Families Information for Health Care Providers.

Canadian clinical guideline for treating high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder

The Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM) and British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) recently released the first-ever Canadian guideline for treating high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder. This guideline aims to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice to improve health care delivery for those who are impacted by alcohol use. This guideline is also in coherence with the Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report.

As per Statistics Canada, almost a fifth of all Canadians aged 15 or older meet the clinical criteria for an alcohol use disorder (AUD) during their lifetime. High-risk drinking and AUD frequently tend to go unrecognized. In many cases, those who are diagnosed with AUD receive ineffective interventions.

One of many key recommendations is that youth and adult patients should not be prescribed antipsychotics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Overall, pharmacotherapy, psychosocial treatment, and community-based programs must all be considered for effective treatment of AUD.

Health care providers are encouraged to use this clinical pathway for screening, diagnosis, and providing effective treatment options for high-risk drinking.

For a summary of the guideline and other useful healthcare tools go to helpwithdrinking.ca.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax: 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

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