Gidget Foundation launches perinatal mental health service in Murray Bridge
Expectant and new parents can now access free support during a period of life that is not always as joyful as it is supposed to be.
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Becoming a parent is supposed to be a joyful time, but for many, it’s also a rough ride – and one too often endured in silence.
Libby Bowditch knows it well.
She and one of her closest friends became mums around the same time, while living on the same street in Sydney.
They would hang out together every day, having a coffee in the park or walking down to the beach with their two prams side by side.
Then her friend – Louise “Gidget” Blacker – took her own life.
She had given no warning, no indication of the depression she had been suffering beneath the surface.
In the months afterwards, Ms Bowditch and her friends got together regularly, mourning the “happy, bubbly” woman they had known and vowing to protect others from postnatal depression.
In time, they decided to do a fundraising lunch; then they launched a foundation bearing their friend’s name.
Now the Gidget Foundation supports thousands of expectant and new parents every year, both online and through a network of 47 Gidget House counselling services.
The 47th service was officially launched at the Square in Murray Bridge on Friday.
To start with, psychologist Robyn Gill will be on site one day per week, and will provide care via video calls on the other four weekdays.
Support is available to aspiring, expectant and new parents for up to 12 months after birth: those experiencing or who have experienced perinatal mental health conditions, birth trauma, pregnancy loss or difficulties conceiving.
Up to 10 support sessions are available free of charge with a referral from a GP as part of a mental health treatment plan.
Among the other speakers at Friday’s launch event was Annabelle Bower, one of the thousands of Australian mums who have been through it.
Her third baby spent a month in neonatal intensive care, and that was overwhelming enough.
Her fourth was stillborn.
Her fifth child arrived safely: a joyful end to a horribly anxious pregnancy.
“You may cope with so many other aspects of life, or you may outwardly look fine, (but) sometimes what is beneath the surface may be truly terrifying,” she said.
“There is no shame whatsoever in asking for help – it is not a sign of failure.
“Healing … usually happens when you can sit beside someone who truly understands; they know how you are feeling and they can help you navigate your way out.”
One in five new mums and one in 10 new dads experienced perinatal mental health issues, Gidget Foundation CEO Arabella Gibson said.
That equated to more than 550 people in the Murraylands every year.
The Gidget Foundation’s goal was to make sure that every one of them received the care and support they needed.
Murray Bridge Community Centre manager Sarah Smith hoped Gidget House’s arrival would send a clear message to new and expectant parents: “You’re not alone, your wellbeing matters, your family matters and support is available.”
Senator Marielle Smith – no relation – officially declared the service open, 18 months after announcing the federal investment that made it possible.
No longer would new parents have to travel to Adelaide for support while struggling through dark times.
“There are thousands and thousands of women and fathers around Australia who, in what is absolutely the most wonderful and transformative time of their lives, are also sitting in a darkness which can be very painful, difficult, lonely and isolating,” she said.
“I know that (Gidget House) won’t just change the lives of new parents in this community – it will help save the lives of parents in this community.
“Nothing could be more important.”
- Get help: Talk to your GP or or visit www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/access-services. You can also find a local mental health service that suits you at murraymallee.servicesdirectory.org.au; call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636; or, in an emergency, call 000.
- More information: www.gidgetfoundation.org.au.
Disclosure: The author is a Murray Bridge Community Centre board member.
