We Need Our Village

The term perinatal refers to the antenatal period and the postnatal period combined. Perinatal mental illness refers to mental illnesses that occur during this period.

Perinatal Mental Illness includes:

Antenatal and Postnatal Depression
Anxiety
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Partum Psychosis
Reoccurrence of any other existing mental illness

These illnesses can be mild, moderate or severe, requiring different kinds of care or treatment. Perinatal mental ill health can affect any parent, regardless of whether they’ve suffered from a mental health condition before.

Perinatal mental ill health IS treatable by having:

Access to resources
Access to support
Access to psychologists
Medication if necessary

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) has a wealth of information on all perinatal mental illnesses

Find out more

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

I don't feel like myself
I have been so irritated and angry (and it’s unlike me)
I feel disconnected
I feel a dark cloud and I can’t snap out of it
I wonder if I should seek help
I feel like I am failing
The things I used to like don’t make me happy
I feel like something is wrong
Being in a constant state of worrying

Common behaviours that are red flags:

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Not having energy to get up and shower or do regulate care tasks Lashing out uncharacteristically
Not being able to sleep
Avoiding tasks you normally would be able to do (such as walking with stroller on a busy street)
Constantly checking on baby or things around the house Excessive gatekeeping and not letting others around baby
Not wanting to be around or left alone with baby

WHAT IS PERINATAL MENTAL ILL HEALTH?

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) has a wealth of information on all perinatal mental illnesses

Know the Red Flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common behaviours that are red flags:

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

WHAT IS PERINATAL MENTAL ILL HEALTH?

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) has a wealth of information on all perinatal mental illnesses

Know the Red Flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common behaviours that are red flags:

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

Common thoughts or statements that are red flags

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