Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Dec. 4, 2024
The Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health met today for their regular monthly meeting.
Board votes in favour of merger
Today, the Board of Health for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) voted to merge with Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health (KFLAPH) and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) to form South East Public Health.
Maternal mental health – perinatal mood anxiety disorders
Public Health Nurses Alison Dubien and Suzanne White provided a presentation to the Board about Perinatal Mood Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). PMADS are recognized as one of the most commonly occurring mental illnesses and the most frequently underdiagnosed pregnancy complication. PMADs can include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or postpartum psychosis. Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common complication of childbirth, and the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that mental health issues that occur around the time of pregnancy are a major public health concern.
Current provincial data shows that pregnant people and new parents in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties are at higher risk for PMADs than those in other health unit areas and the province as a whole.
To address this elevated risk, and the current lack of targeted mental health supports in our community, the Healthy Families Team is now offering cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for pregnant and new mothers with babies up to 12 months of age, who have been feeling depressed, down, or anxious. CBT focuses on the interaction of thoughts, emotions and behaviours and offers a proven and effective means of managing symptoms of perinatal mood disorders – PMD (postpartum depression or anxiety).
The Steps to Wellness program is a free and effective nine-week, online, group-based CBT series where participants will meet weekly in the virtual group setting with public health nurses to learn skills, strategies and tools to help them manage their depression and anxiety. The Steps to Wellness program will provide women with the skills and tools they need to manage the symptoms of PMD and is of benefit to people who have given birth and their families.
For more information, or to see if this program is a good fit for you, call: 613-966-5500 / Toll-Free: 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223; email careline@hpeph.ca; or fill out the Healthy Families Request Form.
#SpreadJoyNotGerms this holiday season
With the holiday season nearly upon us, residents are urged to take action to reduce the spread of respiratory illness in the community.
Taking action now will help all residents, especially the most vulnerable, stay healthy for the holidays.
- Stay up to date with your immunizations: COVID-19, flu, and RSV if you are eligible. Visit the website to learn more, including eligibility and availability in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
- Skip the holiday party if you’re not feeling well. It is critical to stay home when you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.
- Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and when recovering from illness. If you are recovering from illness, it is especially important to wear a mask for 10 days after your symptoms started.
- Wash your hands often, and regularly clean high-touch surfaces. This is especially important to prevent the spread of influenza and RSV, both of which are easily spread on high-touch surfaces. If you host or attend a holiday gathering, clean high-touch surfaces and encourage guests to wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
Holiday food safety
As you gather with family and friends during the holiday season, food is often part of celebrations. Keep safe food practices top of mind to host a healthy and happy event.
Wondering how you can keep your food safe?
- Cook foods to the proper temperature.
- Keep hot foods hot (60 C or more).
- Keep cold foods cold (4 C or less).
- Clean your work surfaces often.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Plan ahead! It takes 24 hours for each 2.5 kg (five pounds) of poultry to thaw in the fridge. The safest way to thaw frozen raw chicken or turkey is in the refrigerator.
- Put leftovers in the fridge within two hours, and eat within two to three days, or freeze them for later use.
For more information on food safety, visit hpePublicHealth.ca.
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Media contacts:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Sara Hart, Communications Specialist
hart.sara@hpephh.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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