Dr. Jasmine Gandhi
MD, FRCPC
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Ottawa, Department of Psychiatry
Medical DirectorPerinatal Mental Health Program at The Ottawa Hospital
About Peridot
Peridot was created to provide integrated perinatal mental health support for care providers, perinatal people and their families, connecting them to accessible resources and services informed by science and evidence.
Mental health challenges affect many people during the perinatal period, which includes preconception, conception, pregnancy, postpartum, miscarriage and loss, pregnancy termination, fertility and adoption. Yet they remain under-screened, under-discussed and under-supported in care settings. Peridot is here to change that for families navigating the perinatal journey and for those supporting them.
Evidence-based supportResources and tools grounded in leading guidelines and clinical expertise.
Rooted in science, guided with care
People need access to evidence-based perinatal resources and care so they can be better informed, advocate for themselves and receive support from professionals who understand what they're going through and its impact on family wellbeing and mental health. That's why all the resources you'll find on Peridot, from our educational resources and Services Finder to screening tools, are grounded in evidence and leading guidelines, including:
CPMHTCanadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings
SOGCSociety of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
CANMATCanadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments
Scientific advisors
Peridot has and continues to draw on the expertise of scientific advisors with deep clinical and academic background in perinatal psychiatry, maternal-fetal medicine, mental health interventions and community-based care in Canada. They include:
Dr. Ryan Van Lieshout
MD, PhD, FRCPC
Canada Research Chair in Perinatal Mental Health
Albert Einstein/Irving Zucker Chair in NeuroscienceMcMaster University, Hamilton
PsychiatristWomen’s Health Concerns Clinic
Dr. Lucy Barker
MD, PhD, FRCPC
PsychiatristWomen’s College Hospital, Toronto
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Dr. Archana Vidyasankar
MD, FRCPC
Perinatal Mental Health PsychiatristPrakash Pathways, St. John’s
Clinical Assistant Professor of PsychiatryMemorial University, St. John’s
Dr. Jocelynn Cook
PhD, MBA
Chief Scientific OfficerSociety of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Toronto
Glenda Webber
Former VP Mental Health and Addictions and Correctional Health ServicesNL Health Services
People who help make Peridot possible
Peridot is the result of the vision, skills and passion of many talented people who believe Canada can be a leader in delivering high-quality, accessible perinatal mental health care and support.
- Karen Clarke, Peridot NL lead, doula and perinatal mental health champion who touched every part of Peridot and made it better
- Gavin Elliot, our lead editor for all content, for his careful eye and high standards
- Catherine Kelly and Target Marketing & Communications for branding and all the beautiful creative
- Brianne Kirkpatrick and the Behavioural Insights Team, who always kept users’ needs and engagement first
- Daniyal Liaqat and Real Innovators, our technology and systems thinking partner who built the platform and its remarkable capabilities
- Our partners in the NL government who believe in Peridot and how it can advance perinatal care
- The many experts, people with lived experience, community practitioners and organizations who contributed through years of co-design work to create Peridot
- The Daymark Foundation team, who worked tirelessly to bring Peridot to life
A very special acknowledgement to Dr. Simone Vigod, Professor and Labatt Family Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. Dr. Vigod is a global expert in perinatal mental health, and leads the development of MOVN, an Ontario-based virtual care program designed to support pregnant and post-partum people. Peridot has been inspired by MOVN and Dr. Vigod’s contribution to advancing perinatal mental health care.
During the development of Peridot, Daymark reviewed a number of leading perinatal mental health programs and resources in Canada and internationally, including organizations such as COPE Australia. We acknowledge the important role that these organizations have played in advancing awareness and support for perinatal mental health globally.
How Peridot supports you
Peridot is here to support you through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood with helpful information and tools. It is not a substitute for a diagnosis, medical advice or care from your doctor, midwife or another health professional. If you have questions or concerns about your health, please reach out to them. If at anytime you need urgent help, call 911 or your local emergency services. You deserve support, and you do not have to navigate hard moments alone.
Behind Peridot
Peridot is a core strategic focus of the Daymark Foundation, and was co-designed by regional, national and international experts and stakeholders.
Daymark aims to transform the way we think about and address mental health in Canada, and advance systems change to deliver better care for people and families who struggle with mental health issues.
Get in touch
If you have questions about Peridot, clinical implementation or our content, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to our regional team.