In March 2008, federal and state governments agreed to jointly fund a National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) over five years, with the aim to “improve the prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression, and to provide better care, support and treatment for expectant and new mothers experiencing perinatal depression” (Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council, 2009). The Commonwealth have committed $30 million over five years to states and territories toward the initiative. Read the Framework for the National Perinatal Depression Initiative (external site).

beyondblue has received funding for the continuation of their significant work in perinatal mental health. Part of this was for the development of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for depression and related disorders in the perinatal period, released in March 2011 following approval from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Read the beyondblue Clinical Practice Guidelines (external site).

Funding has also been allocated to each state and territory to implement elements of the NPDI, including workforce training and development; routine and universal screening; treatment, care and support; and community awareness.

For further information on the NPDI Implementation Sub-Committee, please see the State Perinatal Mental Health Reference Group webpage.

The Western Australian NPDI activities are described below.   

Workforce Training and Development

• ‘Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): Use and Misuse’ training, delivered by a network of trainers across Western Australia
• ‘EPDS Train the Trainer’ session conducted every 2 years
• ‘EPDS Wheel’ presentation
• ‘Aboriginal Maternal Mental Health’ training sessions
• ‘Overview of Perinatal Mental Health’ presentations
• An online refresher module for EPDS trainers
• Rural links videoconferencing
• Trainer support and networking (quarterly meetings)
• Development and maintenance of a training calendar
• Symposium, 19 November 2010 in Bunbury

Routine and Universal Screening

• Promotion of EPDS use in GP practices
• ATAPS clinicians from each of the 13 GP Divisions in WA trained to deliver EPDS module to GP practices.
• Funding for one off events to each GP division to raise awareness of perinatal depression and promote screening and assessment
• Child and Adolescent Community Health review of screening – updated guidelines in line with National Clinical Practice Guidelines

Treatment, Care and Support

• 2009- North metropolitan integrated service model commenced November 2009 with three Clinical Nurse Specialist positions: child health (mild/moderate), adult mental health (moderate/severe), and perinatal mental health statewide (severe).
• 2011- South metropolitan model commenced in January with two Clinical Nurse Specialist positions, based in child health and adult mental health
• 2011- WA Country Health Services (WACHS) perinatal depression specialist positions appointed. The Wheatbelt, Goldfields and Midwest regions received 2.1 FTE commencing in January. The South West region received 1.0 FTE commencing July.
• 2010- WACHS project officer given a short term contract to complete a scoping/mapping project to recommend FTE configuration across the WACHs regions. Read the full report (PDF 630KB) or the executive summary (PDF 67KB).

       Model of care in metropolitan areas – Work in progress:

Culturally and linguistically diverse women’s support groups

• Service agreement with Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Service for the provision of a perinatal “Strength to strength” support group program for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the northern suburbs. The program primarily focuses on perinatal depression, emotional health and well-being based on a psycho-educational group format within a culturally appropriate context. The program has been expanded following a successful trial conducted in 2008 - 2010 of a Sudanese women’s support group. Read the full evaluation report (PDF 350KB) or the executive summary (PDF 215KB).
• Service agreement with Save the Children Australia for the establishment and provision of a multicultural facilitated playgroup for newly arrived families from migrant and refugee background residing in the Armadale area. Based on the  “It takes a village” model, the program engages with women and their children aged 0 – 5 years to identify and address perinatal depression and emotional wellbeing. The service is in collaboration with Child and Adolescent Community Health and Challis Primary School in the Armadale area.

Practical support

• Service agreement with the Australian Red Cross Society (WA Division) for the provision of a practical in-home support program for women at high risk of, or experiencing perinatal depression, focussing on psychological health and well being during the perinatal period and based on a family centred approach. The home visiting support program was trialled in 2008 – 2010 demonstrating positive outcomes for women and their families. The program is being extended across the metropolitan area and the South West Region of WA in 2010/2011. Read the full final evaluation report (PDF 1.6MB) or the executive summary (PDF 230KB).

Special Projects: 2009-2010

NPDI funding grants were provided for 12 projects in WA, including:

• trials of antenatal depression and anxiety groups;
• four ‘Pregnant dads’ groups;
• a young mothers’ support group;
• an art journaling group for recovering mothers, called “My Turn”;
• a support group to follow on from a therapeutic PND group;
• updating the pilot and evaluating the parent group “Changing nappies, changing lives”;
• a therapeutic playgroup called “Babe Ease”;
• a supported playgroup in Port Kennedy/Warnboro area; and
• home visiting to support perinatal women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Based on the success of program evaluations, some of these projects have received funding from other sources to continue throughout 2011.

Community Awareness

Small grants 2009/2010 for 11 community events focussing on raising awareness of perinatal depression and the need to seek help. The events included:

• a belly-casting session in Kununurra;
• an information workshop series;
• a traditional Aboriginal birthing site ceremony in Rockingham;
• a multicultural mothers’ morning tea in Langford;
• awareness-raising workshops; and
• a family day in Gosnells.

There was also an effort to increase promotion of perinatal mental health and raise awareness of perinatal depression through electronic and print media strategies.

External Links

Federal Department of Health and Ageing - National Perinatal Depression Initiative
Federal Government - National Perinatal Depression Plan
beyondblue- What is Postnatal Depression?

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