It’s good that we’re talking about perinatal mental health.
Without a doubt, there’s much more awareness of perinatal mental health than there was 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. Issues like perinatal anxiety and depression aren’t taboo subjects anymore, thanks partly to social media and celebrities speaking out. But that’s not all that’s changed.
It takes a village to raise a child, and our village is different now.
The families we see and support at St John of God Raphael Services come in an array of shapes and sizes, with different beliefs and equally diverse support networks. Some parents have geographically dispersed families. Some have children later in life, meaning their parents – baby’s grandparents – are older and sometimes less able to provide practical and emotional support.
These changes mean the potential for isolation during the inevitable stresses of pregnancy and early parenthood is greater than ever, so it makes sense to think proactively about your mental health.
It’s normal to face challenges, so let’s normalise early intervention.
The perinatal period is a time of massive upheaval and adjustment for parents. It’s normal to feel worried, tired and frustrated, just as it’s normal to experience mental health challenges.
The key is to remember that none of these challenges define you as a person or parent and that you can access resources to help you understand the parenting journey and ways to deal with those challenges.
One little conversation today can make a huge difference tomorrow.
Here are some simple steps you can take at the start of your pregnancy to make maintaining your perinatal mental health easier:
- Talk to your GP. Find out in advance about the early warning signs that your mental health is starting to suffer and what you can do about it. Have you experienced mental health issues before? If so, tell your GP. A history of mental health challenges doesn’t mean you’ll experience them again during or after pregnancy, but it could help your GP advise you.
- Learn more about perinatal mental health. There are lots of online resources available, such as the PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) website. Alternatively, ask your GP to refer you to a perinatal support service like St John of God Raphael Services. All our perinatal counselling and support services are completely free.
- Think about your ‘village’. Who do you have around you, not just for practical support but for emotional support? If you don’t have family nearby, or if you don’t have a close relationship with your family, is there someone – a trusted friend – you can talk to about how you’re feeling when things get tough? Start talking to them now. Let them know you’d appreciate it if they could be your sounding board during and after your pregnancy.
We’ve come a long way. Let’s take the next step.
In the past, we didn’t know how important it was to talk about mental health. Today, it’s a much more open and accessible subject, but we often leave it until we’re unwell to do anything about it. So, let’s take the next step. Make early intervention and pre-emptive mental health support part of your perinatal planning.
Learn more about how St John of God Raphael Services can help at sjog.org.au/raphael
