Lack of perinatal care leaving rural mums behind

A northern Victorian mum has bravely detailed her battle with post-natal anxiety and depression, after a lack of perinatal care saw her “fall between the cracks”.

Kimberley Gates and husband Josh were living near Cobram when they had their first child. Far from their extended family interstate, she describes what many often consider one of the happiest of life’s milestones as “very lonely and isolating”.

“Josh was working full-time in agriculture, we would only see him for a short time in the morning,” she said.

Her baby was 17 months old when she was formally diagnosed with post-natal anxiety and depression, after a lack of perinatal care saw her “fall between the cracks” to the point she developed thoughts of suicide.

“All the focus seemed to be just on how the baby was,” she said.

“I spent a lot of time scared and worried – after the birth I found caring for the baby scary and daunting and my husband was flat out all the time. I went through a very dark period.”

Kimberley also faced challenges getting an appointment with a mental health specialist, and was left to navigate that part of the health system, alone.

Kimberley and Josh Gates with daughters Aaliyah (8) and Phoebe (5). Picture: Supplied

Long wait times for mental health help is a common challenge for rural people, according to Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia chief executive officer Julie Borninkhof. Compounding the issue is that sometimes women did not want to reach out for help locally, fearing stigma around mental health struggles.

Ms Borninkhof, a clinical psychologist, described what she often sees in rural women as a “suppression of need” – seeking help was often seen as just “another job” and overwhelmed parents could push their own needs to the bottom of the pile.

It’s a problem that can be exacerbated by isolation in the bush, and by natural disasters such as drought, with partners often worked longer hours on the farm.

PANDA operates Australia’s only perinatalnatal mental health helpline that provides access to counselling and support for parents during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood, no matter where they lived.

According to PANDA, the most recent statistics – from a study completed pre-Covid – show up to 22 per cent of women experience depression during pregnancy, or following the birth of their baby, with one in five women having anxiety during pregnancy and up to 20 per cent experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder after giving birth.

Ms Borninkhof also called for greater funding so PANDA could expand services to include Sundays.

“Unfortunately we don’t have enough money to cover that now in current funding,” she said.

Federal health minister Mark Butler’s office was contacted for comment.

Having accessed appropriate care, plus focusing on her own fitness and meditation, Kimberley says she is now managing her mental health and seeks help if needed.

She said she would urge others to “be there for one another” and for parents to “take care of yourself first, so that you can take care of your precious family members”.

If you or someone you know is in need, visit www.panda.org.au or call 1300 726 306.