Start talking about perinatal depression

Start Talking, a new telehealth program, provides free perinatal support for families experiencing emotional distress during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Gidget Foundation Australia (GFA) launched the national program in April to provide psychological support via video call with a trained professional; the initiative is primarily targeted at families who may otherwise struggle to receive timely, appropriate and supportive care for perinatal depression and anxiety.

With a GP-referred Mental Health Plan expectant and new mums and dads can now receive up to seven free video-call counselling sessions, with a specially-trained perinatal psychologist anywhere in the country with internet.

Across Australia, one in five new mums and one in 10 new dads suffer from perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA), that’s close to 100,000 expecting and new parents each year.

GFA CEO Arabella Gibson said they launched the program with the intent of reducing the effort involved by new and expecting parents seeking support.

“We have launched our Start Talking Telehealth service to enhance ease of access to and increase choice in perinatal mental health services across Australia,” Ms Gibson said.

“People living in regional, rural and remote Australia will no longer experience the inconvenience, time and expense of having to travel significant distances simply to access these services.

“For some patients, just leaving their home to seek treatment is not possible.”

GFA has recruited a team of psychologists to facilitate this initiative who are supervised by perinatal psychiatrist, Professor Bryanne Barnett.

For more information go to gidgetfoundation.org.au