Perinatal Mental Health Week is from the 8th November to 14th.
As research reveals almost 100,000 expectant and new parents, suffer from depression and anxiety, with a rise particularly amongst millennial parents.
• Perinatal depression and anxiety on the rise amongst millennial parents • 100,000 Australian expectant and new parents experience perinatal depression and anxiety each year • Blooms The Chemist commits to supporting parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety in partnership with Gidget Foundation Australia • Anxiety and depression in parents in the lead up to the birth of a child and shortly after, has significant impacts within families and the community, many of whom do not seek support and are confronted with overwhelming worries, concerns and anxiety . • Research indicates that whilst becoming a parent is one of the most exciting life milestones, it may also drive increased stress and apprehension . If perinatal depression and anxiety is left untreated it can significantly affect physical and emotional health of the mum or dad, their relationship and also impact on the child’s ongoing development.
• Blooms The Chemist is enlisting their local, community pharmacy network to become involved through multiple initiatives including: • Bun in the Oven Fundraiser support: selected stores across Australia will host their own fundraising event, such as a bake sale, to help raise funds and awareness. Stores will also select their very own Gidget Champion to actively promote the foundation and help customers understand perinatal depression and anxiety. • Perinatal Resource Hubs: local pharmacies will display important information, fact sheets and brochures in their stores for customers to learn more about perinatal depression and anxiety. • Bunny Bounces Back: the next book in Gidget Foundation Australia’s Bunny Books series will be exclusively available for purchase at selected Blooms The Chemist stores. The Bunny Books are a collection of stories written for children, with psychological strategies to help parents.
Amelia Walker works on the Clinical team reviewing, implementing, and managing timely intake, effective triage, and appropriate care for clients and to provide support for Gidget Clinicians. Accompanying her 12 years of clinical management experience and inception of clinics in London, Amelia is a Registered Counsellor. This dual focus of clinical management and Counselling ensures her role as Program Clinician is focussed on the client experience. Connecting with their needs and those of our Clinicians is the driving focus of her work with Gidget. Amelia joins Natasha Ferre to talk about what Perinatal Mental health is, what support is available and how Gidget Foundation are supporting families.
For more information on Gidget Foundation Australia visit: gidgetfoundation.org.au/ For more information on Blooms The Chemist visit: bloomsthechemist.com.au or LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @bloomsthechemist