Professional care and treatment options

The mental health system can seem complicated and overwhelming to someone who is already struggling. Medical professionals who can provide initial help with new parents’ concerns about their mental health include:

– Child and Family Health Nurse

– GP

– Midwife

– Obstetrician

These people can provide some initial assessment, information and support around perinatal mood disturbances.

If more specialised support is needed, a parent may be referred to additional services. The type of referral may depend on whether the parent’s distress appears mild, moderate or severe. These are some of the options:

– Perinatal psychologist or counsellor

– Psychiatrist

– Mental Health Social Worker

– Specialist support groups or a specialist telephone support service

– Online support tools

– A mother-baby unit (MBU) within a hospital