Help for Depression During Pregnancy

FOR the first time a group has been established in regional Australia to support people through depression during pregnancy and it is based here in Scone.

The Gidget Foundation has groups throughout major cities which specialise in support for perinatal depression, but some local women have spent the last year working to establish a group in the Upper Hunter.

Local Support Available: Rachel McCormack, Courtney Wicks, Katrina Clement and Skye Bennett.

Skye Bennett, coordinator and community development for Muswellbrook Neighbourhood Services said it was during a Toybox meeting in Bunnan that the idea was born.

“I was speaking at the first Toy Box in Bunnan and I was asked about what services were available for depression during pregnancy and we realised there was a great need,” said Ms Bennett.

“The Gidget Foundation have a free service in Sydney, but there was nothing in regional areas,” she said.

“We want people to know there is support out there and many people don’t have family support locally, so we are there to help support women and their families.

The support is not just for women, it is for fathers, family members and careers with depression during pregnancy and the first year of the baby’s life.

Rachel McCormack is a local mum of four who experienced significant anxiety with her first child.

“It really impacted on my ability to enjoy motherhood in that first year,” said Ms McCormack.

Courtney Wicks said it is something many people in the community understood and that people suffering from depression should not feel they are alone during pregnancy.

“Parenthood can be bloody hard and it is ok to feel overwhelmed, we all understand what that is like and we want people to know they are not the only one and that’s what we are here for,” said Ms Wicks.

The group meets during the first week of every month.

The laid back environment is supported by access to a range of practical services including members with special training in suicide intervention said Skye Bennett.

“It is very laid back and we want to help with the pressure and stigma of depression and anxiety,” she said.

“It has taken us a year to get up and running and there have been many organisations involved in helping us establish the group including Muswellbrook Neighbourhood Services, the Australian Breastfeeding Association, of  course the Gidget Foundation and their local Ambassador Dr Larissa Burke,” she said.

“Hopefully the group we have established can be used by other people to start other groups in regional Australia,” Skye Bennett said.

To learn more about the Gidget Group – Upper Hunter call Katrina Clements: 0411 587 655

Other groups which provide support for people with depression include:

• Beyond Blue: Visit online or phone: 1300 224 636
• Gidget Foundation: Visit online or phone: 02 9460 1550
• LifeLine: Visit online or phone: 13 11 44