---
title: "Eby pledges perinatal mental health unit at B.C. Women's Hospital"
description: "David Eby promised on October 14 to fund a unit at B.C. Women's Hospital where new parents in a mental health crisis could be treated alongside their babies."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/david-eby-perinatal-mental-health-unit-bc-womens-hospital-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T18:42:35.100Z"
---

BC NDP leader [David Eby](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/david-eby) pledged on October 14 to fund a dedicated perinatal mental health unit at B.C. Women's Hospital, CBC News reported. The unit would allow new parents in a mental health crisis to receive inpatient psychiatric care while staying with their babies.

Right now, according to Clare Zeschky, executive director of the Pacific Post Partum Support Society, as reported by CBC, there are no facilities in B.C. that allow a parent to receive inpatient psychiatric care alongside their baby. Parents who need hospital-level mental health care must currently leave their newborn behind, which the NDP says discourages people from seeking help.

"No mother wants to choose between going to the hospital to receive the care she needs to get well and staying with her baby," said Kiri Bird, co-founder of the non-profit In Her Circle, in CBC's report.

In Her Circle was founded by friends and family of Jenna Dorman, who died by suicide in November 2024 after experiencing severe postpartum mental health challenges. The non-profit had been calling for a dedicated unit at B.C. Women's Hospital.

**How common are the challenges this would address**

A Statistics Canada 2024 national survey found that 56 per cent of B.C. mothers and birthing parents reported emotional or mental health challenges during pregnancy or postpartum. Of those who reported challenges in B.C., 64 per cent said the challenges began after birth, according to CBC.

**What else the NDP promised**

The perinatal unit was part of a broader BC NDP women's health strategy. The party also promised expanded PharmaCare coverage for alternative menopause treatments for women who cannot use hormone therapy. A third commitment would improve access to vaginal estrogen through pharmacists to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.

Eby said the goal is to engage with practitioners and women to identify and close gaps in health care.

**What other parties said**

The BC Green Party said in a statement that in 2024 it called on the NDP government to update the province's women's health report, which it says has not been updated since 2011. "We're glad the NDP is finally listening, but women shouldn't have to wait for an election campaign to get the care they need," the Greens said.

The BC Conservative Party said in an email to CBC that "people deserve better." CentreBC leader Elenore Sturko said her party would include free counselling for people who need it. OneBC said it is not taking Eby's pledge seriously.

MLA [Jody Toor](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/jody-toor), now running for re-election in Langley-Willowbrook, introduced a private member's bill on perinatal and postnatal mental health care in March 2025. Toor told CBC the announcement was overdue.

Voting day is October 24. Advance voting runs from October 16 to October 21. You can find your voting place and check your registration at Elections BC. The full list of BC provincial candidates is at [/bc/provincial-2026/candidates](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates).

*If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline.*

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