Dr. Catriona Hippman, PhD, CGC
I am a postdoctoral research fellow with the BC Women's Reproductive Mental Health Program, the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and the University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing. My fellowship is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Michael Smith Health Research BC, the Killam Trusts, the University of Calgary Eyes High Program, and the BC Women's Health Foundation, and my research work is additionally supported by generous gifts from an anonymous donor and iA Financial Group.
My doctoral work focused on how to support women deciding about how to care for their mental health during pregnancy. My fellowship work aims to elucidate strategies best suited to the Canadian context for the care of birthing people experiencing acute postpartum mental illness, through parallel lines of both qualitative and quantitative inquiry into Canadian and international experiences.
I am a White settler, I live with panic disorder and recurrent depression, and I am a mother to two children. My own story of struggles and resilience during motherhood can be read at The Good Mother Project. I also trained clinically as a genetic counsellor, and have been a certified genetic counsellor since 2009.
Mission
To improve mental health at times of transition in relation to changes in hormones, genetics, physiology, and family composition through feminist, person-centred research and advocacy for equitable access to mental health services.
Vision
For all people to be mentally healthy at times of transition in relation to changes in hormones, genetics, physiology, and family composition.
Values
1) Justice – including critical thinking, community, empathy, curiosity, diversity, inclusion, power, safety, respect, vision
2) Whole-heartedness – including nurture, care, authenticity (openness, vulnerability), reflexivity (self-awareness), creativity, trust, compassion (including self-compassion), connection, joy
3) Perseverance – including bravery, one-pointedness, commitment, loyalty, patience, reliability
Areas of Research Expertise
Perinatal mental health; Health service delivery; Patient-oriented research; Feminist, constructivist research; Pharmacogenetics; Decision-making
Other places to find Dr. Catriona Hippman's work
Blog Series on Reproductive Mental Health:
CREST.BD / WHRI 3-part blog series on Reproductive Health and Bipolar Disorder featuring answers from Dr. Catriona Hippman and Dr. Jehannine Austin. (2022, September 19) Part III: Reproductive Health and Bipolar Disorder: Pregnancy, Living Well & Bipolar. Retrieved from https://www.crestbd.ca/2022/09/19/reproductive-health-and-bipolar-disorder-pregnancy-living-well-bipolar/
CREST.BD / WHRI 3-part blog series on Reproductive Health and Bipolar Disorder featuring answers from Dr. Catriona Hippman and Dr. Jehannine Austin. (2022, August 17) Part II: Reproductive Health and Bipolar Disorder: Medication, Pregnancy & Bipolar [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.crestbd.ca/2022//08/17/reproductive-health-and-bipolar-disorder-medication-pregnancy-bipolar/
CREST.BD / WHRI 3-part blog series on Reproductive Health and Bipolar Disorder featuring answers from Dr. Catriona Hippman and Dr. Jehannine Austin. (2022, July 19) Part I: Periods & Bipolar [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.crestbd.ca/2022/07/19/periods-and-bipolar/
Op-Eds:
Healthy debate article: We have a tool to help prevent suicide during pregnancy and postpartum. Why does the task force recommend against using it?
Interviews:
Newstalk 610 CKTB: Radio Interview for Bell's Let's Talk Day
Podcast with NSGC: Self Care for Genetic Counselors
Podcast with @WomensResearch: Episode 18: Reproductive Mental Health
Video with TalkBD: Pregnancy, Postpartum & Bipolar Disorder
Reports:
Hippman C, on behalf of Life With A Baby Foundation. Maternal mental health: Is Canada doing enough? A review of maternal mental health support across the country. 2020. https://www.lifewithababy.com/blog/9382517
Policy briefs:
Hippman, C., Letourneau, N., Gagnon, L., Carrion, P., Ryan, D. Screening for perinatal depression in Canada. Submitted to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health Study on Women’s Health on Oct. 6, 2023. Published on Oct. 16, 2023 on Women’s Health study webpage of ourcommons.ca. Vancouver, BC: BC Reproductive Mental Health Program.
Clinical Practice Resources:
Mead, A., Ryan, D., Paquette, V., Smith, E., Joshi, P., Tonella, C., Hippman, C. 2023. BC Reproductive Mental Health Program, Provincial Perinatal Substance Use Program, & Perinatal Services BC Best Practice Guidelines for Mental Health Disorders in the Perinatal Period: Substance Use Disorders. Vancouver, BC: BC Reproductive Mental Health Program.
Carrion, P., Ryan, D., Morgan, M., Hippman, C. Statement affirming the importance of perinatal depression screening in BC. 2022. http://www.perinatalservicesbc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/statement-affirming-the-importance-of-perinatal-depression-screening-in-bc