Information for Healthcare Professionals and Support Providers
The perinatal period is a time of major life change, which brings with it an increased risk of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression1. While decades of research exist on the experience and treatment of postnatal depression, perinatal anxiety (PNA) has received comparatively little attention. This is despite an estimated PNA rate of around 20%2, with some studies suggesting that it may occur at a higher rate than postnatal depression3,4.
Despite being treatable once recognised, most people experiencing PNA do not seek help for their symptoms5. There are several reasons why people may not seek help. While there is mass public awareness about postnatal depression (PND), knowledge about other aspects of perinatal mental health is lacking at both a public and healthcare professional level6,7. Thus, symptoms may go unrecognised.
For those who do recognise their symptoms, concerns about being regarded as a bad parent and the perceived stigma attached to mental health issues in this period may mean people are less likely to seek treatment. This is problematic, as untreated PNA is associated with a variety of negative outcomes for both the mother and infant8, 9, 10, 11. Given the significant individual and societal costs of PNA12, reducing its prevalence and implications is a public health priority.
This website provides evidence-based PNA-specific online education, support, and self-help resources suitable for pregnant and postpartum families, healthcare professionals, and other care providers. It aims to improve awareness and understanding of PNA, encourage early identification, and increase access to/uptake of support.
References
1. Kessler et al., 2012
2. Fawcett et al., 2020
3. Dennis et al., 2017
4. Fairbrother et al., 2016
5. Accortt and Wong, 2017
6. Higgins et al., 2018
7. Smith et al., 2019
8. Glasheen et al., 2010
9. Fallon et al., 2018
10. Lefkovics et al., 2018
11. Rees et al., 2019
12. Bauer et al., 2015