New and expectant South Australian parents will get free, personalised mental health support with new perinatal mental health centres to be established in Elizabeth and Murray Bridge, South Australia.
The Albanese Government funded centres will offer local families support during the vital perinatal period from pregnancy through to baby's first birthday.
This is a time when up to one in five women and one in ten men experience anxiety and/or depression.
The centres will help meet local demand for mental health care and provide psychological services with no out-of-pocket costs.
Parents will need a referral from a GP and a mental health care plan.
Providing early intervention and support will reduce the effect of perinatal mental illness on families and set them up for a healthier, stable future.
The government has provided more than $26 million to establish a network of centres around the country, which together will help more than 2,800 parents each year.
The centres will be operated by Gidget Foundation Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that supports the emotional wellbeing of expecting and new parents.
The Elizabeth and Murray Bridge facilities will be established and operational by 2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"It's common to be overwhelmed and tired during pregnancy and as a new parent, but many Australians are faced with far greater challenges.
"Becoming a parent is a profound change, for many parents understandably it can be overwhelming.
"These perinatal mental health centres will provide families needing that extra support for free."
Quotes attributable to Matt Burnell, Member for Spence:
"Families are doing it tough here in the North, and the Elizabeth Perinatal Mental Health Centre means new parents can access essential support without cost".
"Becoming a parent can be a very overwhelming time for mums and dads. Up North, support services can be few and far between, leaving a gap to be filled".
"That's why the Albanese Labor Government is establishing these Perinatal Mental Health Centres. To provide crucial support to parents, at a critical time, in areas that need it most".
"Timely support in the lead up to, or within the baby's first birthday, will help ensure a healthy, happy environment for parents and their children."
Quotes attributable to Arabella Gibson, CEO of Gidget Foundation:
"We know that perinatal depression and anxiety impacts around 100,000 Australian parents every year, and the establishment of Gidget Houses in South Australia will provide much needed specialist support for local parents.
"Gidget Foundation Australia saw a 30% increase in demand for services in FY2024. These local services will ensure potential, expectant and new parents in South Australia can access help when they need it most.
"Gidget Foundation Australia has supported over 10,000 families through the delivery of over 90,000 appointments since inception, so we're delighted to be able to bring our face-to-face specialist perinatal counselling to South Australian parents."
