New data from Gidget Foundation Australia (GFA) reveals one in three (30%) Australian parents struggle to connect with other parents, while one in three (30%) say they wish they had more support from the community around them and LGBTQI+ parents face additional challenges from Stigma and issues surrounding fertility.
In Australia, perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) impacts around 100,000 parents each year which equates to one in five mothers and one in ten fathers. Suicide is also one of the leading causes of death amongst expectant and new mothers.
This is in addition to the estimated $877 million annual cost of PNDA to the health system, economy and wellbeing of those impacted by the condition1.
Individuals in the LGBTQI+ community may face additional challenges during the perinatal phase including stigma and fertility issues – which heterosexual parents might not have to navigate.
These challenges add to the risk of individuals experiencing PNDA, and data from Gidget Foundation Australia shows that one in two parents (55%) don’t know how to spot the signs of PNDA.
To raise awareness and reduce stigma around perinatal mental health issues, GFA has launched an eight-episode podcast series called 1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers.
Last Updated on Sep 21, 2023
The news team for Gay Nation love tips from our readers. Got tips or a news story that you would like published? Go here to tell us something.
Visit the Gay Nation store Now
