Are you one in five?
That’s the question that WayAhead is asking new and prospective parents this Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week.
Parents might feel like their baby is one in a million, but from recent research, we know that many will be struggling and that it is more common than people think.
Preparing for, and welcoming a newborn, can be quite overwhelming. Recent research suggests that approximately 1 in 5 birth-parents and up to 1 in 10 non-birth-parents experience problematic symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).
This year’s campaign focuses on helping people understand the difference between “adjustment” difficulties all parents experience and something that might be more serious, such as PNDA, that can have a huge impact on parents and families. It is also important to draw attention to the fact that PNDA has a really high rate of recovery with the right support and treatment.
We have pocket-sized fold-out cards with information about PNDA for people to read and share. We have also developed a series of “Stress Less Tips”, available online, designed for both parents and those in their support networks, providing practical ways people can support each other.
We are also launching a new Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week website, which will include a simple screening quiz for PNDA, and lots of useful links and information.
For more on perinatal depression and anxiety, visit our website
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