Supporting Perinatal Mental Health: The Power of Connection and Care

It’s Perinatal Mental Health Week, helping to build awareness of perinatal mental health to encourage support-seeking from new and expecting parents to reduce isolation and stigma.

So, what is the perinatal period? It’s the time from pregnancy to one year after giving birth. It can be a challenging and overwhelming time of adjustment for families, whether you are an expectant Mum or Dad, or new parent, it can be exhausting and isolating!

Perinatal anxiety and/or depression affects up to 1 in 5 new Mothers and up to 1 in 10 new Fathers. Showing just how common these experiences are!  

Photocredit: Tim Mossholder Unsplash

CONNECTING!

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTS

Supports such as playgroups or new parents’ groups are available during this time. Alongside this, informal supports such as friends and family members can also be an opportunity for respite for new parents both emotionally and physically. It’s important to remember that it’s healthy and normal to ask for help during the perinatal period.

Playgroups and parent groups are a great option to connect with other parents who may be experiencing similar feelings and challenges, providing opportunities for information sharing, peer learning, and socialisation for both caregiver and child.

Speaking to your midwife, child health nurse, or GP is also a good place to start to get connected with professional supports if needed.

Alternatively, there are a range of helplines and websites that offer resources and support to families during the perinatal period, some we’ve outlined below but please click the button for an extensive list that includes contact details and website links.

CARE!

SOME SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PERINATAL FAMILIES

• PANDA:

  Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and their first year of parenthood. Calls are answered by a peer support worker which provides a safe and confidential space to talk to a person with lived experience of perinatal mental health.

• FOR WHEN:

  A free national care-navigation phoneline which connects new and expecting parents to mental health services and supports in their local area. Navigators are trained clinicians with perinatal and infant mental health expertise.

• COPE:

  The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) aims to reduce the impact of mental health and emotional challenges on families during the perinatal period. Educational and awareness raising resources for the perinatal community.

  App: Free pregnancy app and app for new parents - Ready to COPE

• NGALA PARENTING SUPPORT LINE:

  A Callback service that offers free parenting support from qualified professionals including child health nurses & midwives.

5 TIPS FOR DAILY PRACTICE DURING THE PERINATAL PERIOD

So as a new parent lacking in sleep and adjusting to all the changes in your everyday life, how can you look after your own mental and emotional wellbeing, to give your baby the best start, to develop their own healthy sense of self? Click below for 5 daily tips that you may find helpful.

HOW CAN AMITY HEALTH SUPPORT YOU?

Amity Health has a range of programs and services to support you and your family through the perinatal period. Have a chat to your GP about our fully funded Mental Health Care Counselling Program, available in the Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions. It’s for people living in financial hardship who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns including those in the perinatal period. There are face-to-face, telephone and video conferencing options available.

Our mental health services extend to our Registered Psychologist, Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Art Therapist, based in our Albany offices.

For parents, carers and families living in the Wheatbelt towns of Merredin and Narrogin, we offer two community-based services:

• Merredin Kids Hub: promotes child development and school readiness, facilitated by Family Support Workers who can offer support to parents and link families into other services.

• Narrogin Kids Hub: a child and parenting support program.

Please remember if in crisis to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, 000 or visit your local hospital.

Author: Nicola Granich (Mental Health Clinician)