Valuable Websites for Fathers, Family & Friends

Understand that these sites are for informational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat ~ please also consult your health care practitioner or specialist for that much more support and guidance.


Research on fathers and Postpartum Depression

Dr. Letourneau and Esther Shoemaker's current research project is on fathers and postpartum depression.  They are researchers affiliated with Carleton University, University of Toronto, University of New Brunswick, University of Alberta, and University of Calgary.  They are currently conducting telephone interviews with fathers of partners who have experienced postpartum depression within the last five years.  We have received ethical approval from all of the institutions involved and the research is funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research.  They are trying to understand fathers’ experiences when their partners have postpartum depression as well as fathers’ support needs, resources, barriers to accessing support, and support preferences.  We want to find out  how to help men whose partners are experiencing or have experienced symptoms of postpartum depression and how to promote fathers’ and mothers’ mental health.  During the hour and a half telephone interview, participants will be asked to describe their experiences related to their partners’ postpartum depression. In addition, participants will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires related to demographic information, depression, marital quality, and social support.  The results of this study will enable program planners to develop and test an intervention for fathers which will enable them to better support their wives as they experience postpartum depression.  Thank you so very much for considering!


PostpartumDads

This website is intended to help dads and families by providing firsthand information and guidance through the experience of PPD.  This site also includes information and resources that can be used by professionals to assist families dealing with PPD. Every day, over 1,000 new dads in the United Statesbecome depressed. And according to some studies, that number is as high as 2,700. That’s 1 in 10 to as many as 1 in 4 new dads who have Postpartum Depression. Whatever the exact number, we know that a lot of fathers are suffering from this painful condition.


Families Matter
At Families Matter, we create learning opportunities for families.  You will learn and practice new skills, tap into resources, and develop new ideas about what’s possible.  You’ll expand your community and gain access to people with similar backgrounds and life experiences.  The continue to strive to aid as many families in need of assistance as possible. We have written a manual, "Postpartum Support Model 2009: A Guide for Organizers and Facilitators" which we hope will assist our colleagues in starting, continuing, or just giving food for thought regarding postpartum difficulties.


Home of the Pacific Post Partum Support Society (PPPSS) 

Dad's key in weathering postpartum depression - click on "Dad's etc." found on the left hand side menu.


Best Start

Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD) are real.  1 in 5 women will suffer from some degree of postpartum depression and other postpartum mood disorders (PPMD) after the birth of a baby.  There is help. They also have a video for parents that you can order from their website. They are currently working on a manual on how care providers in a variety of different fields can help mothers create their own circle of support to help them get through postpartum (or prenatal) mood disorders. One of the physician’s on their advisory committee has also just released a new book for mothers: “Baby Brings the Blues."  As a husband, family member or friend – you can help!


Postpartum Support International

You are not alone. You are not to blame. We are here to help. PSI is built on the foundation of providing support to families. If you or someone you know might be experiencing symptoms of prenatal or postpartum mood or anxiety disorder, know that it is treatable and you’ve taken a very important first step. We have PSI Coordinators throughout the world who provide information and support. There is someone in your area who can help you if you are experiencing any of the following: depressed, irritable, exhausted, unlike yourself, sadness, anger, guilt, worry, feelings of inadequacy.  Considering also visiting postpartum.net/info-sessions for a weekly informational phone forum for Dads.


Postpartum Progress

A Husband's Perspective on Postpartum Depression.


MedEd PPD Postpartum Depression Resource

A website developed with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to provide education about postpartum depression (PPD). This part of the site, Mothers and Others, contains information for women with PPD and their friends and families.


The Med Guru: Babies might give Daddies Postpartum Depression

Trying to do our bit to keep you informed about your health and what you can do to keep fit and healthy. We try to bring the latest developments in healthcare to you, in the simplest of form so you know how they affect you and your dear one.


Dunstan Baby Language Intensive Classes
Christine Gatzke is Canada's exclusive Certified Dunstan Baby Language Educator, and is providing classes to new and/or expecting parents; a ground-breaking system that is designed for parents to learn the 5 different and universal cries that babies make that correlate to their 5 biological needs.  Babies will cry less and settle faster as parents learn the sounds for hunger, tiredness, need to burp, lower wind pain and discomfort.  This system was featured on Oprah, and has 10 years of cross-cultural research and is recommended by 9 out of 10 mothers.


DrugWatch
DrugWatch.com is a comprehensive Web site featuring extensive information about medications, drug interactions, and side effects to aid in the protection of patients and consumers. The most recent drug alert is from side effects of Accutane, where patients who have or are taking this drug continue to complain of adverse reactions, prompting an Accutane Class Action. Common side-effects reported include severe depression, suicidal thoughts, miscarriage, birth defects, IBS and Ulcerative Colitis. Additional information may be found on DrugWatch.com.


 


Maternal Mental Health Strategy: Building Capacity for Saskatchewan

This is a project that is funded through research funds from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Community Development Fund at the University of Saskatchewan in partnership with the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute and the Health Quality Council, and with support from the Saskatchewan Public Health and Psychiatric Associations. Our goal is to increase the capacity to identify and support women at risk for mental health problems in Saskatchewan. The strategy includes an awareness campaign and engaging women and stakeholders to make policy recommendations to the Government of Saskatchewan.   Here's the first newsletter - keep referring to our site for updates!