Up to 1 in every 5 women may experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both during pregnancy and/or following birth. A small number of women will experience a rare but serious perinatal mental health disorder called postnatal psychosis. Research suggests that 1-2 women per 1000 women giving birth will experience postnatal psychosis. Women may also experience other less common perinatal mental health disorders, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mood disorders including bipolar and schizophrenic disorders.
The perinatal period is associated with an increased risk of both mental health relapse, and newly diagnosed mental health disorders in women who have never had mental ill-health.
The ACT does not have a dedicated perinatal inpatient mental health facility. Mothers experiencing severe perinatal mental ill-health are separated from their baby(s) to access inpatient treatment. Separation can cause further mental ill-health issues and can be a deterrent for women seeking mental health help during the perinatal period. The establishment of an inpatient facility would fill a gap and allow women to seek help while helping them bond with their baby(s) and reduce the risk of further trauma to them.