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Category: Current
Perinatal Mental Illness
Around 25% of women will experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after the birth of their child.
Perinatal mental illness can occur regardless of age, religion, ethnic group or number of previous pregnancies.
Parents often feel they are the only ones who feel like this and that they are failing or are a bad parent.… Read more
Perinatal Depression in Fathers
Perinatal depression and anxiety are not mother only disorders.
1 in 10 fathers will experience depression and anxiety after a child is born. 1 in 20 will experience depression and anxiety during their partner’s pregnancy.
Risk Factors
- A partner with perinatal mental illness
- A history of depression or anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Relationship problems
- Lack of support
Symptoms
- Tiredness, headaches and pain
- Irritability, anxiety and anger
- Loss of libido
- Changes in appetite
- Feelings of being overwhelmed, out of control and unable to cope
- Increased risk taking
- Changes to sleep patterns, especially a lack of sleep
- Feelings of isolation and disconnection from partner, friends or family
- Increased hours of work as a part of the withdrawal from family
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol instead of seeking treatment for depression.
Testimonials
Words from people we have supported
"I can honestly say nothing helped as much as the completely non-judgemental, unconditional care and support that I found through the Perinatal Wellbeing Canterbury groups"
"I felt supported by the easy availability while on the PNAP waiting list.
Contact Us
In a crisis please call 111, go to the nearest ED
or call the Crisis Resolution Team on 0800 920 092
Check here for other helplines and support resources
Got a question or want to connect with us?
Use one of the links below to send us a message.
Postnatal Anxiety and Depression
Often dismissed as simply the ‘baby blues’, brought on by the hormonal instability associated with giving birth, postnatal depression and anxiety can occur anywhere between the first few weeks or the first few years of a child’s life.
Because everyone’s experiences are different, perinatal mental illness often goes undiagnosed, and therefore finding support can be a difficult process.… Read more
Home
Perinatal depression and anxiety affects
1 in 4 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers
across postcode, across ethnicity, across household income
Perinatal Wellbeing Canterbury,
a community based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to:
Support
Providing safe and supportive environments in which parents receive peer support and connection, and learn how to manage and minimise mental wellbeing challenges related to pregnancy, childbirth and parenting during the first 2,000 days (pregnancy to 5 years)
Advocacy
Connection with clinical and community organisations to ensure parents can be referred for appropriate support if needed.