Pregnant women and new mothers at risk of depression and anxiety could “fall through the cracks” when funding runs out this month on a successful Sunshine Hospital program.
The two-year Perinatal Emotional Health program was funded in 2013 as part of the Victorian government’s commitment to the National Prenatal Depression Initiative.
The initiative is aimed at improving early detection of mental health issues around childbirth, and supporting and treating expectant and new mothers of Melbourne’s west who are experiencing feelings of sadness and anxiety. Yet, despite the pilot program’s success, it will cease within weeks as funding dries up.
In an address last week to a Melbourne Health Research Week forum, program manager Frances Bilbao noted that one in 10 women experienced depression in pregnancy, and anxiety rates were even higher.
She said time pressures and a lack of training made screening impractical at a busy hospital like Sunshine, which last year recorded about 5500 births and was expected to reach 7200 births within a decade.
Midwives reported the program helped identify women who need extra help. Of the 2286 screenings, 403 (18 per cent) returned positive symptoms of depression or anxiety and felt unable to cope.
NorthWestern Mental Health executive director Ruth Vine said the program was very successful despite having been in operation for a short time.
“There remains a real need to embed and grow services to meet the needs of a complex community, including a diverse ethnic mix, many new arrivals, and new mothers with substance abuse problems and pre-existing mental health problems,” she said.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the western suburbs couldn’t afford to lose such a vital program.
“We know women’s mental health is particularly vulnerable in the months before and after birth, so it’s critical the government make this an ongoing program,” she said.
“There are limited alternative support services available to women if this program ends. This pilot has been a success and should be continued.”
Women seeking support can call PANDA’s (Post and Antenatal Depression Association) National Hotline on 1300 726 306 or find advice fact sheets at www.panda.org.au.
