Perinatal Mental Health Week: Supporting Parents When It Matters Most
Perinatal Mental Health Week is an important time to deepen our understanding of the emotional and psychological changes that occur from conception through to a child’s second birthday. This period, known as the perinatal period, can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also bring challenges that many parents don’t expect.
At Amity Health, we’re proud to support this national initiative and help raise awareness of the support available to families in our community.
This year’s theme, reinforces the importance of early support and accessible referral pathways.
Why Perinatal Mental Health Matters
Every year, more than 100,000 Australian parents experience a perinatal mental health concern. This includes:
1 in 5 mothers
1 in 10 fathers
Higher rates among LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse parents
These numbers underscore the critical need to ensure parents receive timely and appropriate care.
This year’s theme, “What you need, when you need it,” reinforces the importance of early support and accessible referral pathways, without barriers or stigma.
What Support Can Look Like
Every parent’s experience is different, and so are the supports they may need. Some common pathways include:
Talking with a GP
Engaging with community programs and supports offered locally
Accessing national services such as PANDA, Ngala, or ForWhen
Exploring online resources like SMS4Dads or the MindMum app
What matters most is that parents know support is available and that it’s okay to reach out—no matter how big or small their concerns feel.
A Year-Round Priority
While this awareness week helps to shine a national spotlight, perinatal mental health needs attention every week of the year. Supporting parents during this time helps build strong, connected families—and strengthens the wellbeing of our whole community.
Join Us: PANDA Week Picnic in Albany
To mark Perinatal Mental Health Week, Amity Health is partnering with WACHS and Wanslea to host the PANDA Week Picnic. This morning tea will provide the community with a space to sit and discuss perinatal mental health in a safe and supportive environment. Including roaming health clinicians for a safe chat, sugar cookies because everything is better sweet and gift bags for the first 50 participants.
We warmly welcome all parents, caregivers, and community members to join us.
If you or someone you know is navigating the perinatal period and would like guidance, please reach out. Support is available and you deserve “What you need, when you need it.”
Guest Author: Rebecca Vincent - Amity Health Mental Health Clinician
Disclaimer:
The information in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personalized guidance, please consult a licensed mental health professional.