Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senators Siewert and Kakoschke-Moore, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) this week is Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week,

  (ii) 1 in 5 expecting or new mums and 1 in 10 expecting or new dads will experience perinatal anxiety or depression,

  (iii) around 100 000 families are affected by perinatal anxiety and depression every year in Australia, and

  (iv) too many expecting and new parents who need help do not seek help as they are unaware of the symptoms, or of where to go to seek assistance;

(b) urges all those who need help to contact their GP or the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia's (PANDA's) specialist perinatal counselling national helpline on 1300 726 306; and

(c) acknowledges the work being undertaken by PANDA to connect those who seek help, and raise awareness around perinatal depression and anxiety, including first establishing this Awareness Week in 2005.

Question agreed to.