This week is Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week and beyondblue has urged parents to visit its Healthy Families website. The website provides information and advice for new mums and dads from pregnancy
to 12 months after birth. Up to one in seven women experiences postnatal depression and one in ten experiences
depression during their pregnancy.
About one in twenty dads feels anxious or depressed during their partner’s pregnancy, while one in ten experiences a mental health condition after the birth of their baby. “We’ve come a long way, but unfortunately when a new parent is having a tough time, some people can still be very judgmental. No one should feel ashamed or be discouraged
from asking for help,” said beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman. Visit healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au
or call mental health professionals 24/7 on 1300 22 4636.