Impact at a Glance – Strengthening Perinatal Mental Health – In Newfoundland and Labrador, we helped design a coordinated support system so parents can access the right help, close to home. Newfoundland and Labrador was chosen as the pilot site, with the goal of future scaling to improve perinatal mental health across Canada.
The Daymark Foundation, a national Canadian charity dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing, worked with SCS, Akendi, and Blueprint ADE to address the mental health needs of pregnant and new parents, positioning perinatal mental health as a system-wide priority to improve outcomes for families and society as a whole.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the group of partners mapped existing perinatal services, identified gaps, and co-designed an integrated system where a central “hub” connects and coordinates local “spokes” (community-based services) so perinatal people can access the right help, close to home. SCS’ role focused on developing a governance structure, supporting engagement, and providing mental health system expertise grounded in the Newfoundland and Labrador context.
Testimonial(s):
“SCS’s consultation was instrumental in supporting the development of a tailored governance approach for our project. Their guidance helped us define clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making pathways specific to the project’s needs, creating a strong foundation for collaboration and accountability. Throughout the project, their deep knowledge of the mental health landscape in Canada added significant value, ensuring our work was informed, relevant, and responsive to the broader context.” — Lori Smith, Executive Director, Daymark Foundation
Read more about the project at the Daymark Foundation website: https://www.daymarkfoundation.ca/ideas-index/nlpilot →