Free help for Brisbane parents with postnatal depression

Are you having a baby, or recently had a baby, and are struggling to cope? Or do you know someone who is?

If you were to believe the glossy magazines, you might think that having a baby is an easy or joyful time. But parenthood is not always peachy.

One in 10 women experience depression during pregnancy. Up to a third of women who give birth in Australia experience the lingering effects of birth trauma. In fact, birth trauma can trigger post traumatic stress.  One in 7 women and one in 10 dads experience post-natal depression in the first two years after having a baby.

If you feel like you’re not coping, you are not alone and help in Brisbane is now more accessible than ever.

What are the symptoms of postnatal depression?

Pregnancy and early parenthood is a time of great change and it’s normal for most parents to feel emotional, uncertain or overwhelmed from time to time.

However, if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms below for more than two weeks, it’s important to get reach out for help.

Some of the symptoms that you may notice are:

• •     feeling empty/teary/exhausted/overwhelmed
• •     feeling guilty and inadequate
• •     loss of interest in normal activities
• •     low self-esteem and confidence
• •     over concern or not enough concern for your baby
• •     inability to cope
• •     insomnia and sleep disturbance unrelated to baby’s needs
• •     negative obsessive thoughts
• •     change in appetite
• •     fear of being alone
• •     worrying about harming self or children
• •     wanting to be alone, withdrawing from social circle
• •     loss of concentration and memory
• •     difficulty with decision making
• •     crying for no reason
• •     being irritable and moody
• •     feeling negative all the time
• •     thoughts of suicide or wanting to escape

Getting help

Depression is an illness and it can be treated.

The following services are free to access for Brisbane parents:

Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness (www.peachtree.org.au)

Offering peer support groups in Bulimba, Stafford, Caboolture and Yeppoon. These groups provide a non-judgemental and safe place for expecting parents and parents who are under stress from emotional and mental health challenges, to meet other parents going through a similar experience. Groups are free to attend and children between the ages of 0-5 years are welcome.

Email:  [email protected]

Metro North Perinatal Mental Health Team

Provides services to families who are pregnant or in the postnatal period and have non-acute emotional or mental health problems, or are having difficulty coping.

10 Nellie Street, Nundah: (07) 3146 2300

Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital & Redcliffe/Caboolture Hospital catchments: (07) 3146 2525

Logan-Beaudesert Perinatal Wellbeing Team

Free and friendly services offered by a nurse practitioner and clinical nurse consultant. Offers up to six appointments with specialist perinatal assessment and intervention, for women who are pregnant or have a baby up to one year old, are living in Beaudesert or Logan and feel like they are having difficulty coping.

Call: (07) 3089 2734

Email:  [email protected]

Logan Women’s Health & Wellbeing Centre (www.loganwomen.com.au)

Free counselling services for women and their families aged 14 years and over who work or live in Logan City district.  Inclusive of culture, language, religious background and sexual identity.

Call: (07) 3808 9233

Email: [email protected]

Pregnancy Counselling Link (www.pcl.org.au)

Offers free counselling, in person in their Red Hill offices or by email or phone, and education services offering support around pregnancy, parenting, relationships, fertility and loss and grief.

Call: 1800 777 690

Email: [email protected]

Women’s Health Queensland Wide (www.womhealth.org.au)

Offering a Midwife Check-in service – a free telephone based information support service for pregnant women and new mums. Free, confidential and untimed calls allowing women to discuss any topic relating to their motherhood transition.
Call: (07) 3216 0376 or 1800 017 676

Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (QCPIMH) (www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/qcpimh)

31-33 Robinson Road, Nundah  QLD  4012

Call: 07 3266 3100.

Birthtalk (www.birthtalk.org)

Birthtalk specializes in healing from birth trauma, grief and disappointment.  They offer group sessions for parents to have the opportunity to discuss and share their birth stories, and start a healing process.

PANDA – Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Association (www.panda.org.au/)

Offers a free national hotline counselling and referral service to expecting parents, parents and those who worried about or want to support a loved one or friend.

Call: 1300 726 306, Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm AEST

Beyondblue (www.beyondblue.org.au)

Offers information, resources, advice and a hotline for expecting and new parents – https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/parenting/caring-for-a-baby

Call: 1300 224 636

How Is Dad Going (www.howisdadgoing.org.au)

Run by PANDA, this website provides information and resources tailored especially for dads.

Mantherapy (www.mantherapy.org.au)

Run by Beyondblue, this website provides information and resources tailored specifically for dads.

Talk Suicide Support Service  (www.caps.org.au)

A free service that supports the practical and emotional needs of individuals at risk of suicide, their families and their friends.

Call: 1800 008 255

Note, if you are in crisis, visit your local community mental health service, or the emergency department at your nearest hospital.

Author Bio:

Written by Cherie Pasion on behalf of Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness.  Please find Peach Tree on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/peachtreeperinatal/  and Instagram @peachyparents.

Cherie is a Brisbane-based mother, international author and life transitions mentor, helping professional women prepare emotionally for their transition to motherhood. www.theconnectedmama.com.