The Perinatal Mental Health Program at GWHS

The Perinatal Mental Health Program at GWHS offers women through several avenues: a ten week therapeutic programme ( including 2 couple's evenings), short term individual counselling for clients and a fortnightly support group. These supports are available to women who are at risk of developing or currently experiencing antenatal or postnatal stress, depression and anxiety.

The therapeutic group is available for postnatal mothers only and run during school terms. The individual counselling and support group is available for both antenatal and postnatal clients.

Background of Post Natal Depression

People and society talk about the birth of a baby as a 'Happy Event'. It often is! But childbirth and the transition to parenthood has also been found to be a time of major physiological, psychological and social upheaval. It's exhausting and stressful! The time immediately after the birth is now recognised as a time when women (mothers), are at increased risk of emotional distress and disorders. In fact in WA 10% of mothers can be severely depressed and up to 40% show depressive symptoms. It is difficult to be accurate with these figures as many mothers 'battle on', mask their fears and try to hide their feelings. If they do go to their doctor, it is usually for queries about the baby's well-being rather than their own.

Theories abound on the reasons for PND - from biological (eg hormonal) to psychological and complicating life and social stress factors.

Symptoms of PND

Postnatal Depression (PND) is a label (often misused) that covers a variety of mood disturbances that may occur in the year following the birth. Definition has been elusive but common symptoms experienced are: anxiety, tearfulness, irritability, anger, exhaustion, sleep and appetite disturbances, feelings of apathy, inadequacy, sadness and misery and even shame and guilt. They may be prolonged or of a brief and temporary nature.

Generally we talk of postnatal depression when mood changes last more than two weeks. These mood changes can be disabling in that they interfere with life and how we function. Often there are problems coping physically, psychologically and/or socially.

How Come PND?

The number of mothers experiencing difficulties brings into question the increasing stressfulness of modern day parenthood. How is the task changing? Are there higher expectations about pregnancy, birth and motherhood now? How are help and support systems different now? Are we being brainwashed by society into thinking that we should be superwomen, the house should be spotless and we should be totally organised and managing perfectly?

We learn from a very early age different ways of thinking and behaving and reacting to influences in our lives. Sometimes these ways of thinking and behaving are not enough or not appropriate to dealing with excess stresses. We may even have learned from our environment and those around us to act, think and feel in ways that are depressing. Therefore we need to learn new patterns that make depression less likely and allow us to deal more positively with stresses. We need to overcome and change old habits that are not helping and to check out attitudes and beliefs that we use personally and in our relationships with others. At GWHS you will get information to help you gain an awareness of your 'self' in individual and social roles; and to discover ways of changing thinking, feeling and acting so that you will feel more in control and less depressed.

Who Does PND affect?

Postnatal or Postpartum Depression; according to recent research affects approximately one in seven women. It has an indiscriminate impact, affecting women from any age group or ethnic background. The irony is that it strikes at what should be for most women one of the happiest times of their life. Instead those affected are robbed of confidence, self-esteem and energy leaving them struggling to cope with simple everyday tasks and relationships. PND doesn't just affect the mother; its ripple affect can be felt by all members of the family, in particular her partner and children.