We require referrals from family physicians, obstetricians, midwives, nurse practitioners or attending physicians. We do not accept self-referrals.
We are not an emergency service. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167 or visit your nearest emergency department.
About RMHS
We are an interdisciplinary team of clinicians who work collaboratively to provide specialized outpatient mental health services to birthing parents who are pregnant/postpartum and are currently experiencing moderate to severe psychiatric symptoms with significant impairment related to perinatal issues. Referrals for consultation are accepted from within the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Atlantic region. Ongoing care will be determined by proximity to the IWK Health Centre or degree of regular attendance for other medical care.
Who we help
Birthing parents aged 19 years and older, who are at least 12 weeks GA or less than 9 months post-partum (for patients under 19 years of age, please contact IWK Central Referral by calling toll-free at 1-855-922-1122). Referrals must be from a family physician, obstetrician, midwife, nurse practitioner or an attending physician to provide coordinated care. Referrals are triaged based on clinical urgency, which is determined by the information provided at the time of referral.
The Reproductive Mental Health Service is not intended to provide primary psychiatric treatment for long-term illness/difficulties unrelated to perinatal issues as our ability to follow patients is for a short to moderate timespan. Acutely ill or at-risk patients should be seen by the ER-based mental health service for their geographic area.
We recognize the importance of establishing long-term therapeutic relationships between patients and clinicians; therefore, we do not seek to replace current ongoing psychiatric care. We are happy to provide secondary consultation to any interested mental health clinician at their request.
How we help
Clinicians provide short to moderate term individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and psychiatric consultation services.
Accessing this Clinic, Program or Service
Reproductive Mental Health Service is located on the main floor of the Women’s Building at IWK Health. Please call 902-470-8098 for information on RMHS services and referrals.