Mental Health Minister Stephen Dawson has today announced more than $1 million to launch new perinatal pilot programs for vulnerable Western Australian parents.
Perinatal mental health services are important to promote confidence and emotional wellbeing for new and experienced parents around the time of the birth of a new child.
The funding of seven new pilot programs will deliver services tailored to individual community needs, addressing service gaps which have been identified in the metropolitan area and the South-West.
The programs will include services for women experiencing co-occurring complexities such as history of trauma, family and domestic violence and will also include a New Dads’ program to address barriers for fathers to access support.
The pilot programs will be delivered by experienced service providers and outcomes from the programs will be used to inform future planning and development of mental health services for Western Australians.
The seven new pilot services to be awarded grants are:
- Women’s Health and Wellbeing Services;
- South Coastal Health and Community Services;
- Fremantle Women’s Health Centre;
- Midland Women’s Health Care Place;
- Women’s Health and Family Services;
- Australian Association for Infant Mental Health WA; and
- The Radiance Network South West.
As stated by Mental Health Minister Stephen Dawson:
“These new perinatal pilot programs are further proof of the commitment by the McGowan Government to provide community focused and proactive mental health support for all Western Australians.
“The McGowan Government recognises that investing in perinatal and infant mental health builds the foundations for wellbeing and success across the lifespan of our youngest Western Australians and for future generations to come.
“The first years of parenthood can be tough for people regarding social and emotional adjustment and mental illness so making sure traditional and non-traditional options are available for women and men to access is so important for good mental health outcomes.
“These pilot programs will increase the mental health support provided to men to promote father inclusive practice, and reduce psychological distress associated with fatherhood.”
