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Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood (the perinatal period) is a unique time and involves major changes in a person’s life. The challenges associated with this adjustment to parenthood are often underestimated within our society and cultures. All expectant and new parents, including both mums and dads or partners will have some good days and some bad days. Ups and downs are expected and common. But when bad days become the norm, a parent may be experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety, and treatment may be required.

Gidget Foundation Australia specialises in perinatal mental health care. GFA has experienced perinatal clinicians who can support expectant, new and potential parents. With a referral, clients can be offered up to 10 Medicare bulk-billed psychological counselling sessions per calendar year with a GP referral. There are no out of pocket cost to you or your family for these sessions. The sessions can be either face-to-face or via a video call, called Telehealth. All you need for Telehealth is a tablet/PC and an internet connection. You will be advised which service you can access when you call.

If support from friends and family is not enough, there are many health professionals whom you can turn to, like your GP, midwife or other trusted health professional. It can be a bit daunting to reach out for either yourself or someone close to you, but health professionals know how hard it can be and know that these anxious and depressive feelings are common and can be treated. A GP may refer you to a counsellor, psychologist or a psychiatrist, which can be helpful as you adjust to your new role. At Gidget Foundation Australia we take great care in delivering evidence-based care, from start to finish.

GFA provides support for new and expectant parents Australia-wide who are trying to have a family, parents who have a baby up to the age of one, those who have experienced a pregnancy or baby related loss or have experienced a traumatic birth. Other criteria will be discussed with you when you call to ensure GFA can provide the best care for you or a loved one.

Before an appointment can be booked at GFA, you will need to arrange an appointment with your GP to obtain two things: a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which entitles you to up to 10 Medicare bulk-billed sessions and a letter of referral to GFA services. Making a longer appointment with your GP is a good idea as it may take 30 minutes or so to complete this process.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a management for people with a mental health diagnosis including a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. The plan identifies what type of health care you need and identifies what you and your doctor have agreed that you are aiming to achieve. It also may refer you to local mental health services; in this case the referral would be specifically to Gidget Foundation Australia.

More information about a Mental Health Treatment Plan can be found on the Health Direct and Australian Government Department of Health websites

After a warm welcome by our administrative team, if all the paperwork has been completed by you and your GP referral has been received, a session will be arranged for you with one of our perinatal specialists. As we support expectant, new and potential parents Australia-wide, this appointment will either be face-to-face at one of our Gidget House locations or via a video call. You will also receive reminder text messages from the GFA team to remind and confirm your appointments.

GFA has locations nationally. However, GFA understands that locations may not always be accessible to you. If you are not located near a Gidget House, Telehealth services are available.
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Please note, waitlists can vary at each location, so please ask GFA staff to advise on the potential wait periods for your location.