Supportive mental health resources
What you need to know
Becoming a parent can bring new challenges of which a range of supports are available. The following organisations provide perinatal mental health support.
If you need immediate counselling or crisis support please contact Lifeline, Beyond Blue or 1800RESPECT (domestic and family violence support).
Beyond Blue – Parenting and Mental Health
Beyond Blue provides information on child and parent mental health challenges and provides links to other supportive organisations. They also offer free, confidential 24/6 counselling.
Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
COPE provides support through the emotional challenges of becoming a parent through information and a free app.
ForWhen
ForWhen provides connections for parents that are struggling to navigate the complex waters of pregnancy and new parenthood to the critical mental health services you might need most. They also provide a national helpline.
Gidget Foundation
The Gidget Foundation provides a range of perinatal depression, anxiety and OCD resources. They also provide a free specialist telehealth counselling service for expectant and new parents nationwide.
PANDA
PANDA is dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of expecting, new and growing families. They provide a range of information, services and programs to support parents and families during pregnancy and the first 12 months of a new baby.
Rural Alive and Well (RAW)
RAW provides mental health and wellbeing support for people living in rural and remote communities including a call back service.
Tasmanian Health Service: Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS)
PIHMS operates from the Royal Hobart Hospital and sees pregnant women with both pre-existing and new mental health illnesses, or concerns of possible mental illness in the antenatal period and postnatally up to 12 months. A referral is required for PIMHS.
This information is general in nature and individualised medical advice should be sought from a general practitioner (GP) or appropriate medical practitioner.
