Pregnancy and Parenting Mental Health
Trying for a baby, pregnancy or having a new baby can be stressful, both for women and men. Sometimes it can also trigger mental illness.
This time of your life can also be challenging, if you are already living with mental health issues. It’s important to make sure you’re prepared, well informed and ready to take on the new challenge.
There are specialist services available in WA, for women who are planning to have a baby or in the antenatal (pregnancy or before birth) or postnatal (after birth) period. If you are having fertility issues, you can ask for help or a referral to mental health support through your healthcare provider.
General practitioners and psychologists can assist with mild to moderate conditions. They are also the best place to start for men seeking help with mental health and wellbeing around this time.
No matter what you’re going through, it’s important to look after your mental health and get help early, if needed.
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More information about pregnancy and parenting mental health:
Watch:
More resources
General
Pregnancy mental health - Royal Women’s Hospital
Perinatal mental health – SANE Australia
Perinatal mental health – Centre for Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
Perinatal mental health – beyondblue Healthy Families
General information about having a baby – Healthy WA
General information about psychiatry and mental illness - RANZCP
Just for Dads
Depression in pregnancy and parenting:
Fact sheet about depression during pregnancy and postnatal – Black Dog Institute
General information about depression – Black Dog Institute
Anxiety in pregnancy and parenting
Anxiety, including through fertility, pregnancy and beyond – Jean Hailes
Parenting with mental illness
Parenting with a mental illness - COPMI
Resources for health professionals/clinicians
Perinatal mental health resources for health professionals can be found on the Resources pages.
This page has been developed thanks to the expertise and support of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Sub Network.