Perinatal depression and anxiety screening routinePerinatal mental health expert Professor Marie-Paule Austin recently led the charge to have a mental health screening tool added to the national guidelines for caring for pregnant women and new mums. As a part of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week, she explains why this is so important.

As most mothers will attest – you see more health professionals when you are pregnant and in the early stages of motherhood than at any other time in your life.

In general, most appointments relate to your physical wellbeing or your baby’s – are they hitting their height, weight and movement milestones.

Unfortunately, in the past, we have missed opportunities to use these appointments to check in with a mother’s emotional wellbeing.

This is particularly concerning when you consider that more than one in seven women will experience depression or anxiety after giving birth and one in 10 during pregnancy.

Recent decisions by the Australian Government and updates to the national guidelines for caring for pregnant women and new mums means this is now changing.

Screening women for their emotional wellbeing

This year, my Antenatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ) was added to the Australian Clinical Practice Guideline for Mental Health Care in the Perinatal Period.

This means that the 300,000 or so Australian women who have a baby each year will have their emotional wellbeing checked by clinicians during and after pregnancy as a part of their routine maternity and postnatal care.

Some clinicians have already been using the questionnaire but now it will be routine. Your doctor, nurse or midwife will check in on your emotional wellbeing whether or not you show signs and symptoms of depression or anxiety.

READ: What are the signs and symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety?

Furthermore, the Australian Government recently decided to fund depression and anxiety screening and psychosocial assessment through Medicare for private obstetricians and general practitioners, which means women who are giving birth in the private sector will also have their emotional wellbeing checked.

Taking control

In my role as a perinatal psychiatrist, I often speak to women who weren’t able to access the care they needed whether it was because they didn’t know where to go for help, weren’t taken seriously, or feel too ashamed, embarrassed or afraid to ask.

The good news is that new technology is making it easier for women to take control.

There are many online self-assessment tools that give women the opportunity to assess their emotional wellbeing and prompt them to seek help from professionals.

These online or app-based tools allow women to take the first step to getting help at their pace and in their time.

My advice for women who are concerned

Know that help for your emotional wellbeing is available.

I recommend that if you are concerned about your emotional wellbeing speak to your GP, complete an online self-assessment tool, or contact a support helpline.

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The Bub Hub is proud to support St John of God Raphael Services

If in-hospital care is needed, St John of God Burwood Hospital provides the only private inpatient perinatal mental health unit in Sydney. St John of God Raphael Services provides free support for parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety. Visit www.sjog.org.au

 

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