Perinatal depression affects 1 in 5 new mums, including Jenny Morrison

Jenny Morrison has spoken of her struggles with isolation and exhaustion when she was a new mother as the grinding demands of her husband’s political career took him away from the family home.

Jenny Morrison has spoken of her struggles with isolation and exhaustion when she was a new mother as the grinding demands of her husband’s political career took him away from the family home.

Visiting the Gidget Foundation Australia’s Gidget House, a safe haven for expectant and new parents experiencing peri-natal mental health concerns last Monday, on the same day Meghan Markle revealed her suicidal thoughts during pregnancy, the Prime Minister’s wife spoke candidly of those months alone in Sydney as a new mum.

“Becoming a parent is life changing. And often as new mums or dads, we don’t know where to turn to for support, or even that we need it,” Mrs Morrison, whose daughters Abbey and Lily are now 14 and 12, said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with wife Jenny (left) and children Abbey (right) and Lily (left) after winning the 2019 federal election. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

“I learnt that it is so important to reach out for help, say yes when that help is offered and to talk to others.

Thankfully I had a wonderful doctor, a great group of friends and family to help me. Knowing that you’re not alone can be the first step in managing peri-natal anxiety and depression.”

The Gidget Foundation was set up 20 years ago after the loss a ‘Gidget” Short who took her own life while suffering post-natal depression.

From left: Simone Short (Gidget’s sister, board director), Jenny Morrison and Arabella Gibson (CEO).

Jodie Matthews, Gidget Angel, on the left and Arabella Gibson, CEO Gidget Foundation with Jenny Morrison.

Gidget Foundation Australia CEO Arabella Gibson said demand for their services had soared due to the pandemic.

“Year on year, we’ve experienced a 122 per cent increase on services delivered and this is largely due to the impacts that COVID has had on expectant and new parents,” Ms Gibson said.

Jenny Morrison experienced mild depression when her daughters Lily and Abbey were very young. Picture: Adam Taylor

“Peri-natal depression does not discriminate, we know fertility issues, grief and loss, stillbirth or postnatal depression it can happen to anyone and there are a number of factors, usually additional stressors like financial changes, physical changes, relationship pressures, the external pressures, like with Meghan Markle she was feeling incredibly isolated and we sometimes forget that mental health is just as important as physical health, while you can’t see it, it is equally, if not more important,” Ms Gibson said.

Gidget Foundation: 1300 851 758

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Originally published as Perinatal depression affects 1 in 5 new mums, including Jenny Morrison