If your wife, partner or girlfriend experiences any perinatal mental health symptoms get medical help as soon as possible and get support from family and friends.
Call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. A health professional will answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If there is an immediate risk of harm to themselves, the baby or you, call Triple Zero (000) now or go to a hospital emergency department.
NSW Health Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services (PIMHS) are free for women, babies and families, including LGBTIQ families.
Free advice and services are available:
It is best to get advice and make care plans before becoming pregnant. This will help stop symptoms from emerging during the pregnancy.
To get this free service, you will need to:
Asking for and accepting help only shows your concern for the health of your baby and your partner.
When you speak to Perinatal Infant Mental Health Services staff, they will ask you and your wife, partner or girlfriend some questions, such as:
Treatment is likely to include medication. Many medications are safe for mother and baby. You may want to ask the perinatal psychiatrist about the effects of medication on:
Your partner’s mental health assessment may show that they need involuntary treatment.
An involuntary treatment order allows a person to get treatment even though they didn't agree to it. This happens when a person is:
There are many legal checks and balances that staff must follow when someone is scheduled under the Mental Health Act and needs involuntary treatment. The NSW Mental Health Act 2007 ensures:
For more information about the Mental Health Act refer to Mental health legislation.
PANDA's National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline - 1300 726 306 For everyone affected by perinatal mental illness. Monday to Friday, 9am to 7:30pm
Karitane - 1300 227 464 or (02) 9794 2350 A child and family health nurse can answer questions about caring for your baby. Monday to Thursday, 8am to 9pm Friday 8am to 4:30pm Saturday 9am to 3:30pm
Tresillian Parent's Help Line - 1300 272 736 A nurse can answer your questions on how to care for your baby. Monday to Sunday, 7am to 11pm
Mothersafe - 1800 647 848 or (02) 9382 6539 A telephone service for women concerned about exposure to medication, drugs, radiation and infections during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) is a peer support network that can help women and families affected by postpartum psychosis feel understood, supported and less isolated.
Sometimes parental mental health issues can be so severe that it reduces capacity to safely care for the baby.
A health professional may call the Child Protection Helpline if the baby isn't safe and is at risk of neglect or harm. This may mean child welfare services wanting to talk and meet with you to talk about parenting and how you are coping.
This can be upsetting for everyone but we share a common goal - a well family and a well baby.
Although this resource is aimed at dads, the information is helpful for all new parents and carers regardless of gender, who are coping with perinatal mental illness.
