The perinatal period, defined between pregnancy and 12-months post-birth, is a time of significant transition in a person’s life. Expectations are high – great joy, excitement, an easy birth, deep connections – parents are quickly ushered into new and unfamiliar territory. In reality, the perinatal period can bring mixed emotions and challenge, an entirely human experience of life that often requires additional professional support.
Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) affects one in five women and one in 10 men in the perinatal period. This equates to about 100,000 families each year. If a partner of a new parent has PNDA, there is a 50% increased chance they too will develop PNDA. If left untreated, it can have far-reaching effects, not just for the individual with PNDA, but the pregnancy or baby, the wider family, community and society. It is crucial to consider the whole family during the treatment of PNDA and other perinatal-related conditions.
As part of Gidget Foundation Australia’s focus on clinical excellence and education we held our first Perinatal Mental Health Conference in May 2022, titled Towards healing: Insights into the complexities of perinatal mental health.
The inaugural conference was opened by NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women, the Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC, and was attended by almost 300 people from all over Australia, both in person and online. We welcomed Fran Grant, a proud Yuin woman; Jami Seale, a proud Wiradjuri woman, and Gidget Angel, who shared moving Acknowledgments of Country reflecting on reconciliation, lived experience and healing through culture.
Over two comprehensive days we provided opportunities to learn, reflect and enhance ways of working with perinatal clients, as well as establishing interpersonal connections, which, like new babies, we are all hardwired to do. On the first day, Gidget Foundation Australia clinicians were invited as part of our ongoing commitment to education and professional development. The second day was open to all health professionals working in the perinatal sector including psychologists, psychiatrists, midwives, occupational therapists, and family and community nurses.
We were honoured to deliver a program showcasing leaders in the perinatal field discussing a wide range of topics. Deb De Wilde and Rebecca Lyons explored complex bereavement while Dr Rebecca Wood took us through some complex psychiatric presentations. Dr Sophie Reid and Jace Cannon Brookes delved into the legacy of developmental trauma in the perinatal period, Beulah Warren passionately discussed baby observation and Dr Anthony Marren outlined the latest technologies in assisted reproduction.
Additionally, Carrie Thomson-Casey revealed cutting-edge research regarding integrative mental health care, Elly Taylor and Margie Stuchbery introduced us to their modes of practice relating to family bonding and vulnerabilities in the perinatal period, and Dr Bronwyn Leigh and Dr Levita D’Souza shared the latest research on fatherhood. The conference concluded with Chelsea Pottenger, a Gidget Ambassador and Angel, sharing her lived experience of PNDA alongside her presentation Mindset Reset.
Our healing mission
As perinatal specialists, we are in a unique position to foster healing. When we work with expectant and new parents, we integrate our theoretical frameworks, use our instincts and own life experiences as well as our objectivity to create an atmosphere of nurturing and support. We challenge the concept of the perfect parent and help the client to see the benefits of becoming more flexible and adaptive. We introduce the Winnicott concept of the “good enough” parent, enabling them to expose flaws and all, to facilitate healing, compassion and understanding.
Gidget Foundation Australia was founded almost 21 years ago. “Gidget” was the nickname of a vibrant young mother who tragically took her own life while experiencing postnatal depression, a diagnosis that she kept to herself. In her honour, her family and friends created Gidget Foundation Australia determined that what happened to Gidget would not happen to others.
Those working at Gidget Foundation Australia dedicate themselves to increasing awareness of PNDA and ensuring specialist services are accessible and available, in a comfortable, safe space.
Karen Kleiman, a US-based perinatal therapist, says “Women (and we can add men too), need a private place they can go to talk, to cry, to be angry, to be by themselves, to rediscover who they are, what they need and how they can get it. A place where they are safe to disclose their most secret and painful thoughts. A place where they no longer have to prove how strong they are, how perfect they are, how in control they are. A place where they can reclaim their lost self and find the courage to explore where they are and where they would like to go from this point forward.”
Ms Kleiman encapsulates the aim of our work at Gidget Foundation Australia in the hope that we can prevent further loss for new parents and support more expectant and new parents with their transition to parenthood.
Gidget Foundation Australia will host another conference that we know will be equally inspirational and enjoyable. We thank the APS for their support to deliver this educational opportunity.
Further information about our services and resources can be found on our website at gidgetfoundation.org.au.
A look at the key perinatal facts
- One in five mothers and one in 10 fathers will experience perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).
- Perinatal depression and anxiety impacts around 100,000 Australians each year.
- Nearly 50% of new parents experience adjustment disorders.
- Maternal suicide is one of the leading causes of death amongst expectant and new mothers.
- The cost of perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) to the family, the workplace and the wider community is significant and poorly recognised. In 2019, the estimated impacts of PNDA totalled $877m.
About Gidget Foundation Australia
Gidget Foundation Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents, to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care. We provide a range of specialist treatment programs, all free of charge, which include individual psychological consultations via face-to-face or telehealth, group treatment and early intervention screening.
Find out more about our work