New and expectant South Australian parents living in the northern suburbs now have access to free mental health support with the opening of a new Perinatal Mental Health Centre in Elizabeth.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP, and Member for Spence, Matt Burnell MP, officially opened the centre.
The Elizabeth Perinatal Mental Health Centre is funded by the Albanese Labor Government and operated by the Gidget Foundation.
The centre offers free psychological support for new and expectant parents throughout the perinatal period.
Parents with a GP referral and mental health care plan will be provided free in-person or digital tele-health services with a psychologist.
The Albanese Labor Government is providing $39.2 million for the establishment and operation of 20 new Perinatal Mental Health Centres across the country.
These centres make sure new and expectant mums and dads have a place to turn if they experience depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges.
The new centre in Elizabeth is expected to provide mental health support to hundreds of parents each year.
A new Perinatal Mental Health Centre for Murray Bridge, in regional South Australia, is currently under establishment.
The Gidget Foundation operates Perinatal Mental Health Centres, also known as Gidget Houses, across Australia, which are funded through Medicare.
For more information, visit the Gidget Foundation website.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities, backed by Medicare.
“1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men experience anxiety or depression when they are expecting or have just become new parents and accessing support can be difficult.
“The new Elizabeth Perinatal Mental Health Centre will give local parents a welcoming place to access free mental health support and care.
Quotes attributable to Matt Burnell, Member for Spence:
“Welcoming a new baby should be a joyful time, but for some parents it can also be incredibly tough, and no one should feel like they have to face that alone.
“The Albanese Labor Government is funding this centre to give new and soon-to-be mums and dads a safe place to turn to if they’re struggling.
“We know that getting support early can make a real difference for parents, babies and families.
“It is important that support is there to help parents cope and give their child the best possible start in life.
“This investment will help deliver focused mental health support