Perinatal anxiety and depression is a serious illness that affects up to one in five expecting or new mums and one in ten expecting or new dads. That is according to records compiled by PANDA - Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Australia.
According to PANDA one in two parents who experienced perinatal anxiety or depression felt pressure to pretend everything was fine and, almost half felt no one else understood. Also, 92% of Australians wish they had done more to help someone experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression.
PANDA warns that, if left untreated, the condition can have devastating consequences for individuals and families and can even put lives at risk. Yet,half of callers to PANDA's National Helpline are waiting more than double the recommended two weeks before seeking help.
I was seriously concerned that if I told someone about what I was experiencing that someone would take my children from me
Shantelle Thompson, AKA the Barkindji Warrior, is a mother of three including twins. She had ad a brush with the illness after giving birth and, like the majority of sufferers she waited for a long time before seeking help. Her circumstances were worsened by trans-generational trauma stemming from the Stolen Generations.
“I’d actually avoided seeking medical help because of the impact of the Stolen Generations and that historical trauma. I was seriously concerned that if I told someone about what I was experiencing that someone would take my children from me. All of that prevented me from reaching out for help a lot earlier, “Shantelle Thompson says.
Shantelle Thompson's healthy babies Source: Supplied
With the right support,Shantelle Thompson is now a proud mother of three healthy children. Drawing from her own experience she says Indigenous expecting parents and new parents as well as their loved ones deserve culturally appropriate mental health care.
"Aboriginal families need to be able to trust an organisation before they will admit to any issues they may be facing. When it comes to perinatal mental illness, and with mums and babies in the picture, this is even more important,” the Barkindji Warrior says.
Luckily, with the right support, sufferers can recover from perinatal anxiety and depression and go on to enjoy parenthood.
PANDA’s new online tool kit is an appropriate starting point to assess one’s condition and seek professional support if necessary.
PANDA recently launched a Mental Health Checklist that helps expecting parents as well as new parents assess their emotional well-being. Armed with the right information they can then talk to their health professional about any mental challenges they might be experiencing.
Shantelle Thompson says PANDA’s new online tool kit is an appropriate starting point to assess one’s condition and seek professional support if necessary.
In her case, The Barkindji Warrior topped professional advice with her own coping strategy taking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a form of physical therapy. This was the beginning of her fight to regain back her spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health and well-being back.
Thi story was first published on the 4th of December 2018
Update on 09/07/2018
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood.
PANDA operates Australia’s only National Helpline (1300726306) for individuals and their families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression.
