Perinatal Mental Health Support in Australia: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to Seek Help

What Is Perinatal Mental Health

‘Perinatal’ refers to the period from pregnancy through to the first twelve months after birth. It is a time of enormous physical, emotional, hormonal, social, and identity changes. Because of this reason, mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.

Perinatal mental health covers a wide range of emotional and psychological experiences, including

• Mood changes in pregnancy

• Anxiety related to conception, pregnancy, birth, or early parenting

• Stress around feeding, sleep, or developmental concerns

• Adjustment difficulties during the transition to parenthood

• Birth trauma

• Postnatal depression

• Postnatal anxiety

• Intrusive thoughts or worries

• Changes in identity and relationships

• Emotional impacts related to infertility or loss

• Postpartum psychosis (which is rare but important to acknowledge)

Perinatal mental health is not just about sadness or worry. It includes the full emotional experience of becoming a parent and how this transformation impacts your sense of self and your daily functioning.

How Common is it in Australia

More common than most parents expect.

• One in five women experience perinatal anxiety or depression

• One in ten men experience perinatal mental health challenges

• Birth trauma affects thousands of families each year

• Many parents delay seeking help because they feel they should be coping better

Why the Perinatal Stage Feels So Intense

This period is one of the most significant biopsychosocial transitions a person can experience.
It involves

• Hormonal changes

• Sleep deprivation

• Adjustments in roles and relationships

• Identity shifts

• Cultural pressure to parent a certain way

• Feeding difficulties

• Birth experiences that may not match expectations

• Worries about your baby’s wellbeing, development, and safety

Your body is healing, your nervous system is adapting, and you are learning to care for a completely dependent little person. It makes sense that this period brings emotional complexity.

Signs You May Need Support

Everyone experiences the perinatal period differently, but some common signs include

During Pregnancy

• Feeling overwhelmed, panicky, or constantly on edge

• Difficulty sleeping that is not due to physical discomfort

• Feeling disconnected from the pregnancy

• Persistent fears, intrusive thoughts, or guilt

After Birth

• Feeling flat, numb, overwhelmed, or tearful

• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy

• Increased irritability or anger

• Ongoing anxiety about sleep, feeding, or safety

• Feeling disconnected from your baby or partner

• Feeling isolated or unsupported

• Thoughts of harm directed at yourself or your baby, which require immediate support

What Helps

Talking to Someone Who Understands

Perinatal trained psychologists understand birth, trauma, feeding challenges, identity changes, attachment, and the emotional realities of early parenthood. Therapy may include

• Supportive counselling

• Cognitive behavioural strategies

• EMDR for trauma

• Attachment and relationship focused work

• Practical tools to manage anxiety and overwhelm

Building a Support Network

Mental health improves when parents feel supported emotionally, practically, or socially.

Letting Go of Perfection

There is no perfect way to do pregnancy or postpartum. There is only the way that works for you and your baby.

Seeking Early Support

Early support helps prevent symptoms from becoming more severe.

Partners and Families Matter Too

Partners also experience perinatal mental health changes, often quietly. Increased responsibilities, sleep loss, financial pressure, and adjusting to a new identity can all impact their wellbeing. Supporting the mental health of the whole family strengthens parent child connection.

When to Reach Out

Seek support anytime you feel

• Not like yourself

• Overwhelmed by daily tasks

• Persistently anxious or low

• Disconnected from your baby

• Unsure whether what you are feeling is normal

Support is available, and asking for help is an act of care for both you and your baby.

Where to Get Support in Australia

Support can come from

• A perinatal informed psychologist

• Your GP

• Obstetric or midwifery care

• PANDA Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia

• Maternal and Child Health services

• Parenting groups or community organisations

If you are in crisis, urgent support is always available through emergency services and 24 hour hotlines.

Final Thoughts

Parenthood is transformative, but the transition is not always smooth. Perinatal mental health challenges are common, highly treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.

At Better Together Therapy, we support parents every day who simply need a calm, compassionate space to reconnect with themselves. We also have psychologists who are trained in EMDR for birth trauma and other perinatal experiences. You deserve support, understanding, and the chance to feel steady again.