The Federal Government has released new research that reveals over 1800 Australian parents are diagnosed every week with post and antenatal depression at a cost of $433 million to the economy.

 

Federal Mental Health Minister, Mark Butler, congratulated the Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA) on the new report, saying the entire community stood to benefit from their efforts to raise awareness and provide early intervention for new parents.

 

“Being a new mum or dad can be the most rewarding experience of one’s life, but it can also be an enormously challenging time for many parents,” Mr Butler said. 



“We’ve known for some time the emotional and human toll of post and antenatal depression but this is the first time anyone has tried to quantify that cost in terms of lost productivity from days absent from work and the cost to the health system.”


Mr Butler also noted that the new study observed both mums and dads were susceptible.


“This is a condition which we tend to associate with women but it actually affects one in twenty men as well so we need to raise awareness and break down the stigma so that all parents feel comfortable speaking up and seeking support.”

 

Parents needing someone to talk to can contact the Post and Antenatal Depression Association PANDA on its peer support line 1300 726 306 from Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 7.00 pm.