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For Partners

Partners experience a huge adjustment during pregnancy and the postpartum transition as well. Up to 1 in 10 partners will experience a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (PMAD). However, if the birthing parent is experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder themselves, up to 1 in 2 partners will also experience a PMAD.

Our telephone and text support are always available to partners and non-birthing parents. We also offer Partner and Couple Information and Support Sessions.

If you are struggling with your mental health in the postpartum period – even if you did not birth your baby – you are not alone, and you deserve support.

“I lost who I was mentally, and physically I was just exhausted.”

Reach out to us by phone or text at 604-255-7999, or on our toll-free line at 1-855-255-7999.

Even if you aren’t struggling with your own mental health, if you are the partner of a person experiencing a PMAD there’s a good chance that it is going to take a toll on you and your relationship with them. We are here to support you, too.

“I’m supposed to be the strong one and the one who has no emotional concerns, but it’s difficult.”

Here are some of the challenges you may be facing:

There is more conflict in your relationship.
You feel like you’re being pulled apart by your demands at work and your demands at home.
You feel like nothing you do is right.
Your partner may need more support from you than they usually do.
They may not want to be intimate and may need a lot of physical space.
They may be blaming you for how they feel.

“Sometimes I would take the later bus home from work, just to have an extra half hour. I needed time to relax because I’d think ‘I haven’t done anything, but I’m going to get yelled at’.”

Here are some tips on how to minimize the effect of your partner’s PPD/A on you:

Remind yourself that this is temporary, and a common experience.
Take care of yourself
Try not to take your partner’s need for physical space personally
Don’t expect to fix everything.
If possible, try to take some time off work.
Find someone you trust with whom you can talk honestly about your experiences.

Keep in mind:

You can’t take away the illness or the struggle.
Just listening is often the most helpful thing to do.
Don’t try to be a superhero. Ask for help from friends and family members; say ‘yes’ when it’s offered.
Be present. Try to stay home when you’re not working.
Get used to the mess. All new parents struggle to keep up with the cooking and cleaning once the baby is born.
It’s important to let your partner sleep as much as possible.

It is hard to support someone who is struggling for a long time. There can be an unrealistic expectation that a person with a PMAD is going to recover quickly. Recovery takes time, and there can be lots of ups and downs.

If you are struggling as a result of your partner’s mental illness, you deserve support.

“You’re going to be hit with a lot of emotional shrapnel, and it’s not personal.”

If you find yourself getting angry, frustrated, resentful, or impatient because of how long it’s taking, it’s important that you reach out for support.

Give us a call or text today: 604-255-7999 (call or text) or 1-855-255-7999 (phone only) For more information about how to support your partner, check out our page for supporters.

Support PPPSS

As a nonprofit and registered charity, we rely on funding from government, community grants, and private donations. Thank you for supporting us so we can continue offering support to new parents and families.

For Partners

Here are some of the challenges you may be facing:

Here are some tips on how to minimize the effect of your partner’s PPD/A on you:

Keep in mind:

If you are struggling as a result of your partner’s mental illness, you deserve support.

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Support PPPSS

Pacific Post Partum Support Society (registered charity number: 107810632RR0001)