Recommendation 18

Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of prospective and new parents

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Status: In progress

What the Royal Commission said

The Royal Commission recommends that the Victorian Government:

  • Expand and reform the community perinatal mental health teams in each Adult and Older Adult Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Service across Victoria to adapt and deliver the core functions as set out in Recommendation 5 This includes providing consultation to primary and secondary care and related services for prospective and new parents, including maternal and child health nurses.
  • Review approaches to perinatal mental health screening.

What we've achieved

Perinatal Emotional Health Program expansion

  • The Perinatal Emotional Health Program supports women’s mental health from the time pregnancy is confirmed until their baby turns one. It offers assessment, treatment, and referral pathways.
  • The Program has been expanded to support a greater number of prospective and new parents in the community, improving access to early intervention and specialist treatment for antenatal and postnatal mental health presentations. Investments have been made to uplift the program, strengthening specialist perinatal mental health capability and delivering more early intervention care and support to new and expectant parents.
  • St Vincent’s Hospital and Bayside Health - Alfred Care Group have dedicated Perinatal Emotional Health Programs, increasing the availability of specialist perinatal mental health services within the public system.

Review of perinatal mental health screening

  • The Department of Health commissioned and completed a review of the evidence to improve perinatal mental health screening practices.
  • The review makes 10 recommendations. These recommendations are aligned with the following themes:
    • strengthening perinatal mental health screening practice
    • building workforce capability and confidence across our services
    • improving experiences and continuity of care for people.
  • An Expert Advisory Group (EAG) was established to inform the development of improved perinatal mental health screening guidelines, with work continuing to support implementation.
  • For a summary report of our findings and recommendation, see the Review of perinatal mental health screening approaches.

What we're doing

Perinatal Emotional Health Program expansion

Updated

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