Have you heard about this fab collab for Perinatal Mental Health Week? It’s like a big virtual hug for expectant and new parents, and we’re all for it.
By Mama Disrupt®
It is Perinatal Mental Health Week and this year’s big message is, “Hey, we’re here for you, let’s find your support crew!”
Perinatal Mental Health Week is all about showing mums and dads that they’re not flying solo on this wild ride. There’s a whole community ready to support them at every twist and turn.
Dr Erin Seeto, Clinical Psychologist from Gidget Foundation Australia is super excited about this. She says they’ve been chatting with parents, carers, and pros to come up with daily themes that really hit home. We’re talking about stuff like how to find your go-to people, getting over hurdles to ask for help, diving into parenthood, choosing the best care, and looking after those who look after us.
“LOTS OF NEW PARENTS MIGHT FEEL A BIT OFF BALANCE, WITH ONE IN FIVE MUMS AND ONE IN 10 DADS EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AROUND THIS TIME.”
You’re not alone
Here’s a surprising fact: peer support can be a total game-changer for new mums, helping with mental health and feeling less alone. But guess what? A huge 70% of new parents in Australia don’t have a network of other parents to lean on. This makes finding your own special group super important.
Parenting is a big life change, and it can be tough on mental health. With two in five Aussies facing mental health issues at some point, it’s really crucial for parents and their loved ones to have a place to turn to when things get rough.
Interestingly, around 64% of Australian parents feel they could use more support from their healthcare providers. This highlights a real need for more training and education for health pros and getting specialist help from community groups.
Dr Seeto also points out that lots of new parents might feel a bit off balance, with one in five mums and one in 10 dads experiencing depression and anxiety around this time. Everyone’s journey is different, so finding the right support network is key.
Find your virtual village
This year, for Perinatal Mental Health Week, 56 organisations are coming together to help parents find their ‘village’. It’s all about support that fits every family’s unique needs.
There’s also this cool tool called the Perinatal Mental Health Support Finder. It’s an online guide that helps you find the right support, tailored to your specific situation.
Viv Kissane from Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness is all about giving parents pathways to different kinds of support. The idea is to match up with what works for each person’s unique story.
It’s amazing to see 56 organisations pulling together for this. Viv says it’s all about making sure families across Australia get top-notch support during this important time. They want every family to find their village, no matter their background or where they live.
If you’re keen to find out more about the support available, head over to pmhweek.org.au and check out the Perinatal Mental Health Support Finder. It’s a great resource for anyone needing a bit of extra support during this exciting, but sometimes challenging, time.
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