New hope for struggling parents

A national program hopes to significantly improve access to mental health treatment for new parents who are experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety.

Generic image of pregnant woman Source: Getty

Gidget Foundation Australia has launched a national telehealth program, Start Talking, providing free specialist perinatal psychologist support for families experiencing emotional distress during and after pregnancy. 

The new initiative, available through video calls, will improve access to treatment for parents in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.

With a GP-referred mental health plan, expectant and new parents around the country can receive up to seven free video counselling sessions with a perinatal psychologist.

“The sheer distances makes it difficult for people to access services, we wanted to make sure we provided it to them,” said Arabella Gibson, CEO of Gidget Foundation Australia.

“For some patients, just leaving their home to seek treatment is not possible,” she said, referring to the anxiety that may come with these conditions.

Gibson said the initiative would also support parents who would otherwise experience privacy issues, as the local psychologist may be someone they know within the community.

Within Australia, one in five new mums and one in 10 new dads experience perinatal depression and anxiety - affecting almost 100,000 new or expecting parents each year.

“People feel more comfortable sometimes with a video call, it feels like a tiny bit of a barrier between you and the psychologist and makes it easier for people to talk,” said Chris Barnes, a clinical psychologist at Gidget Foundation Australia.

“Recent evidence is showing when in expert hands it is just as effective as face-to-face counselling.”

The program - funded by donations to the Gidget foundation, Medicare and a recent contribution of $270,000 from the NSW government - is also available to parents living in the suburbs that can’t reach a physical Gidget location.

“I think they are grateful they can be in their own homes and comfortable so that when they’re ready, they can call,” said Barnes.

Chelsea Pottenger, an ambassador for Gigdet, is one mum who has experienced the worst of perinatal depression after the birth of her daughter Clara.

In the first few months of parenthood, she experienced severe insomnia, anxiety and depression.

“One day I had a huge panic attack and I lost hope that I would get better, I pulled my car over and thought there’s only one way out – to end my life,” said Chelsea.

“I didn’t even know what I had but  I was promised I can get better, as soon as I was told I can recover that gave me hope.”

Chelsea said a campaign like Start Talking would dramatically help parents from “slipping into the darkness” like she did.

“If you are struggling out there, I promise you are not alone. Be brave and please start talking, with the right help you can get your old self back.”

Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, has also expressed his support for the program and said in a statement:

“For so many parents, it can be a time of surprising anxiety and depression, something which many do not expect and about which some feel guilt, and there’s no reason to feel that guilt.”

“But, this is something that’s real and it’s vital that we acknowledge it. I want to commend the Gidget Foundation.”