Resources
Discover mental health supports and local parenting resources
The pregnancy and postpartum periods are filled with various physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes that can increase your risk for anxiety. On this page you will find mental health resources and parenting supports that can help you manage your anxiety and stress. Many of the resources below are specifically designed for mental health in pregnancy and postpartum.
You can download a more extensive resource list here.
Resources on this page include:
Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis?
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or any of the crisis telephone services below:
Crisis Response Centre (24 hours)
This service is available for adults experiencing a mental health crisis. You can contact them via phone or visit their 24-hour walk-in service located at 817 Bannatyne Ave.
- Mobile Crisis Service: 204-940-1781
- Crisis Stabilization Unit: 204-940-3633
- Community Intake: 204-788-8330
For more information about their services please visit their website.
Domestic Abuse Crisis Line (24 hours)
This service provides confidential help to those who have been impacted by domestic abuse. You can contact this crisis line by phoning 1-877-977-0007.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (24 hours)
This resource offers crisis intervention and counselling services. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are available and offer services in English, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. You can contact them at 1-855-242-3310 or chat with them online.
Klinic Crisis Line (24 hours)
This crisis line is for individuals who are suicidal, in crisis, or struggling to cope.
- Phone: 204-786-8686
- Toll-free: 1-888-322-3019
More information about their crisis services can be found on their website.
Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line (24 hours)
This crisis line offers support if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, are concerned about a friend, family member, or co-worker, or have been impacted by a suicide loss or suicide attempt. You can contact them at 1-877-435-7170.
Non-Crisis Telephone Supports
Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba COVID-19 Anxiety Support Line
This support line is designed to help people cope with COVID-19 related stress.
- Phone: 204-925-0040
- Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 9am-9pm
- Saturday-Sunday: 10am-4pm
Breastfeeding Support Hotline (24 hours)
The WRHA offers a support hotline for individuals struggling to breastfeed. You can get in contact with them by calling 204-788-8667.
Manitoba Farm, Rural, and Northern Support Services (24 hours)
This service offers free confidential counselling for anyone who lives on a Manitoba farm or in a rural or Northern community. Counselling can be accessed via phone at 1-866-367-3276 or online.
Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba – Postpartum Warmline
This service offers support to postpartum persons that are struggling with their mental health.
- Phone: 204-391-5983
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone Hours: 9am-9pm (7 days a week)
- Email Hours: 1:30pm-9:30pm
More information about different support options can be found on their website.
Seneca House Warmline
Peer support workers are available to talk, offer support, and suggest possible resources.
- Phone: 204-942-9276
- Hours: 7:00pm-11:00pm (7 days a week)
Hospital-Based Mental Health Resources
The following mental health resources are designed specifically for pregnant and postpartum persons experiencing mood disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression).
Anxiety Disorders Clinic (St. Boniface Hospital)
This clinic offers treatment for anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. Treatment is often provided in a small group format (6-16 sessions) with a limited availability for individual treatment.
This clinic requires a referral from a family physician, medical specialist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or another health care provider.
For more information, please contact the clinic at 204-237-2335 or visit the WRHA’s website.
Health Sciences Centre (HSC)
HSC offers treatment for depression during pregnancy and postpartum. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy is offered in a group (10 weeks) or individually (2-10 sessions). Individual therapy is offered year-round while group therapy is offered several times per year.
This hospital requires a referral from a healthcare provider to receive psychological services. An initial interview is also conducted to determine appropriateness of services.
For more information, please contact HSC at 204-787-7424 or visit the WRHA’s website.
Women’s Hospital (Health Sciences Centre)
Psychological treatment is available for those experiencing anxiety and depression during pregnancy or postpartum. Services are also available for individuals experiencing mood disorders related traumatic birth experiences. Treatment lasts between 8-12 sessions individually and if offered in a group format, will last for 10 weeks with 6-10 group members.
This program requires a referral from a psychologist, physician, OBGYN, psychiatrist, midwife, public health nurse, or nurse practitioner.
Wait times for pregnant persons are usually 1-3 months and are 2-10 weeks for postpartum persons.
For more information, please phone either 204-787-8237 or 204-787-5212 or visit the WRHA’s website.
Low-Cost Counselling Resources
Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba
This organization offers a free 6-week online Anxiety and Worry Program that addresses COVID-19 related anxiety, health anxiety, and social anxiety. Individuals can complete this program in a small group or individually.
- Cost: Free
- Phone: 204-925-0600
- Email: [email protected]
More information can be found on their website.
Aulneau Renewal Centre
This centre offers counselling for individuals, couples, and families.
- Cost: Sliding scale
- Phone: 204-987-7090
You can find more information on their website.
Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre
This organization offers one-time or ongoing counselling for women on topics such as parenting, trauma, and domestic abuse. Counselling services are offered for 1-12 months with a waitlist of 4-6 months.
- Cost: Free
- Phone: 204-477-1123
To learn more about the services this centre offers, please visit their website.
Klinic Community Health Centre
All counselling services provided by Klinic are free of charge. When scheduling a counselling session, please make sure to have your Manitoba Health card on hand. For more information about all counselling services offered, please visit their website.
Drop-in Counselling
During COVID-19, this centre offers their drop-in counselling service over the phone. Counsellors can help you cope with life changes and your mental health among other topics. You can book an appointment by calling 204-784-4090.
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Counselling
Klinic also offers counselling for domestic abuse and sexual assault. These services are available to anyone impacted by domestic abuse or sexual assault. You can book an appointment by calling 204-784-4059.
Mental Health Supports for Perinatal Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba
This organization offers resources for individuals with postpartum depression and anxiety, such as online weekly support groups.
Postpartum Depression Association of Manitoba
This resource offers information about anxiety and depression during postpartum, self-care activities that can improve symptoms, and step-by-step instructions on how to get help for your symptoms. More information can be found here.
Women’s Health Centre
This centre offers a Coping with Change support group for postpartum persons who feel lonely, anxious, or depressed. Participants learn about emotional adjustment and relationship changes in postpartum as well as myths about motherhood. Registration is required. You can find more information on their website, or contact them at 204-947-2422, ext. 113 or at [email protected].
Online Resources for Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
The following websites provide reliable information about perinatal anxiety and depression symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.
This resource offers information on a variety of topics related to depression during pregnancy and postpartum.
This resource offers information on anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum.
This resource contains information about symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum.
This resource has information about depression and anxiety during pregnancy, including information on symptoms and prevention strategies.
This resource outlines information about perinatal anxiety and depression symptoms and treatment options.
United Kingdom National Health Service
This resource has information about depression in pregnancy and postpartum, including information about symptoms, risk factors, and how to get help.
Mental Health Mobile Apps
The following applications use evidence-based strategies to help you manage your anxiety and stress. If you are interested in using a mental health mobile app, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a list of additional recommendations for app-based resources on their website.
Breathe2Relax
This app is a stress reduction tool that teaches users how to relax through diaphragmatic breathing exercises. The app features a body scan that illustrates how stress impacts different areas of the body. This app is brought to you by The National Centre for Telehealth and Technology.
- Cost: Free
- Available on the App Store and Google Play Store
For more information, please access a professional review of the app.
Calm in the Storm
This app helps users learn to identify and manage their stress. These strategies are grounded in clinical research about stress. This app is brought to you by Klinic Community Health Centre, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, and the Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network.
- Cost: Free
- Available on the App Store
For more information, please visit their website.
Headspace
This app offers instruction on mindfulness meditation for both beginner and advanced meditators. Once users complete their free 14-day trial, they must purchase a subscription to have access to the full library of lessons.
- Cost: 14 days free, $12.99/month or $69.99/year
- Available on the App Store and Google Play Store
For more information, please visit their website or access a professional review of the app.
Mind the Bump
This mindfulness meditation tool helps new parents prepare mentally and emotionally for the birth of their baby. This program was designed by psychologists and psychiatrists and is grounded in mindfulness meditation. This app is brought to you by Smiling Mind and BeyondBlue.
- Cost: Free
- Available on the App Store and on the Google Play Store
For more information, please visit their website.
Mindshift
This app helps you reduce anxiety by using evidence-based strategies. It can help you challenge your negative thoughts and develop more effective ways of thinking. This app is brought to you by Anxiety Canada.
- Cost: Free
- Available on the App Store and Google Play Store
For more information, please visit their website or access a professional review of the app.
Parenting Resources
In this section, you will find parenting classes and support groups for expecting and new parents. Many of these resources are available online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthy Baby Community Support Programs
These programs can help expecting and new parents answer their questions about pregnancy and their child’s growth and development. They can also connect you with healthcare professionals. These programs can be accessed across Manitoba and are free of charge.
For a list of programs near you, please visit their pages for Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.
Healthy Start for Mom & Me (HSMM)
HSMM offers free group sessions for expecting and new parents that can be attended virtually or over the phone. Their team is led by an outreach worker, Registered Dietitian, and a public health nurse to ensure participants receive the support and information they need. Each week they tackle topics about pregnancy and postpartum, such as feeding and sleeping.
To register for their groups, please contact them via phone at 204-948-5350 or email at [email protected]. More information about their program is available on their website.
Nest Family Centre
This resource offers a variety of educational programming, fitness programs, and support groups for expecting and new parents. Services are available for a fee. To get more information, please contact them at 204-453-8160, via email at [email protected], or access their website.
Pluri-elles
This program offers free parenting programs and support groups. Programs are offered in French. To find out more, please contact them at 204-233-1735 or visit their website.
Thrive Community Support Circle
This organization provides various free programs for pregnant and postpartum individuals, including prenatal and baby classes and sharing circles with Indigenous elders. To learn more, please contact them at 204-772-9091 or 204-255-4840 or visit their website.
Wolseley Family Place
This organization offers a variety of education and support programs for families, including prenatal classes, parenting groups, and play groups for children. To get more information, please contact them at 204-560-3141 or visit their website.
Women’s Health Clinic
The Women’s Health Centre’s Mother’s Program offers a variety of support groups for pregnant and postpartum parents. Programs include:
- Families Connecting: This program connects new parents and health professionals.
- Healthy Families: This program is targeted towards pregnant parents and those with children under 2 years of age.
- Virtual Prenatal Classes: This program includes topics such as infant feeding and care, comfort during labour and birth, and self-care after the birth.
Registration is required for all groups. You can register by phoning 204-947-2422, ext. 113 or by emailing [email protected]. For more information about each program and for the program schedule, please visit their website.
Breastfeeding Supports
The following resources are available for new mothers struggling to breastfeed.
Foundations Birth Services
This program offers a variety of perinatal education classes ($60 per class), as well as breastfeeding counselling services with a certified lactation consultant ($120 per session). To enrol, you can email Cindy at [email protected] or phone 204-228-1783.
More information is available on their website.
La Leche League Manitoba
This program currently offers virtual breastfeeding support groups during COVID-19. To find a group in your area of Manitoba, please visit their website.
Winnipeg Breastfeeding Centre
This program provides breastfeeding supports covered by Manitoba Health. Due to COVID-19, support meetings are now offered virtually. Enrolment in their programs requires a referral from your physician, nurse practitioner, midwife, public health nurse, or lactation consultant.
For more information, please contact them at 204-231-1734 or visit their website.
COVID-19 Resources
The following psychological services are available for COVID-19 related anxiety or stress:
AbilitiCBT: Government of Manitoba
This is a virtual mental health therapy program available to Manitobans over the age of 16 who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help address anxiety symptoms related to the pandemic. For more information or to sign up, please visit their website.
Mindfulness Exercise for Anxiety: Robert Hindman, Ph.D.
Watch Beck Institute clinician Dr. Robert Hindman describe a short mindfulness exercise for worry and anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The exercise can be accessed here.
Wellness Together Canada
This is a mental health and substance use support offering information and videos about mental health issues, self-help mental wellness programs, and individual, video, or text counselling services. Please visit their website for more information.
For immediate crisis support, text “WELLNESS” to 741741. If you are a frontline worker experiencing a crisis, text “FRONTLINE” to 741741.
Below are some helpful information resources regarding mental health and COVID-19:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Coronavirus Corner
Canadian Psychological Association