Perinatal depression is a silent killer and is the greatest single cause of maternal death, yet it is rarely spoken of in anything other than hushed tones.
As many as one in seven new mothers in Australia develops depression during the perinatal period, which takes in the five months before a baby is born, and one month after.
On top of the emotional toll, the illness also comes with an economic cost.
A new report obtained by ABC's 7.30 estimates the cost of leaving the perinatal illness untreated at $535 million a year - and that funding is in jeopardy.
Dean Litis knows only too well about the devastating effect of perinatal depression.
His wife Louise struggled with post-natal depression after the birth of their first son, Sam. She got through it, and three years later, they had another boy, Charlie, but the illness soon struck again.
"She was really hard on herself. She thought she should be better," Mr Litis said.
"That [as] a mum she should be able to cope with two children, but she simply couldn't at that stage."
Ms Litis became so ill she was admitted to hospital.
"Charlie was five months old. She was only there for about four days, I think, before she took her own life."
The Litis' experience is shockingly common.
Depression affects one in seven new mothers in Australia
Suicide linked to depression and anxiety takes the lives of more new mothers in Australia than anything else.
Psychologist Shikkiah de Quadros-Wander works at the Tweddle Clinic for mothers and babies in suburban Melbourne, trying to catch new mums and dads before they become seriously ill.
She often wishes that people would come and see her sooner.
"There will be families who come here and they don't have babies, they have toddlers, and they have been experiencing these things for 18 months plus," she said.
"The word failure comes up a lot.
"Crying a lot, crying at anything and withdrawing socially and hiding. There's a lot that's hidden.
"Hiding how they're feeling from people around them who seem to be doing really well or enjoying every minute.
"And then, of course, there are the siblings as well, who are already in that family and feeling like they don't really have the room or the emotional energy to manage."
Federal funding of mental health services in review
The Tweddle Clinic assesses 1,000 parents for perinatal mental illness each year and, crucially, links them to treatment.
That screening service along with many others is in jeopardy.
Until June last year, state and federal governments funded the National Perinatal Depression Initiative.
The $85 million, five-year program helped screen tens of thousands of new mums and dads for depression and anxiety, and fund treatment and education for medical professionals.
However, wrangling between the states and the Commonwealth over a new round of funding has cast doubt over the program.
Now they are waiting for the results of a review into federal funding of mental health services to learn whether the initiative will continue.
"It's a crying shame that the momentum that we had harnessed over five years is slowly dwindling away," said Nicole Highet, the executive director of the Centre of Perinatal Excellence.
"It's slowly dissipating, in some states more than others.
"It potentially means that women won't be screened, so they won't be assessed and identified.
"It can potentially mean that women won't have access to available treatments, and it could mean that the level of death and disability increases as a result."
The Centre of Perinatal Excellence commissioned an analysis from Price Waterhouse Coopers of the economic costs of not identifying and treating maternal mental illness.
It estimates that if all treatment for perinatal depression and anxiety stopped, it would cost Australia $535 million a year in projected health costs for parents and babies and lost productivity.
Maternal depression affects future mental health of children
As many as one in seven new mothers in Australia develops depression during the perinatal period, which takes in the five months before a baby is born, and one month after.
On top of the emotional toll, the illness also comes with an economic cost.
A new report obtained by ABC's 7.30 estimates the cost of leaving the perinatal illness untreated at $535 million a year - and that funding is in jeopardy.
Dean Litis knows only too well about the devastating effect of perinatal depression.
His wife Louise struggled with post-natal depression after the birth of their first son, Sam. She got through it, and three years later, they had another boy, Charlie, but the illness soon struck again.
"She was really hard on herself. She thought she should be better," Mr Litis said.
"That [as] a mum she should be able to cope with two children, but she simply couldn't at that stage."
Ms Litis became so ill she was admitted to hospital.
"Charlie was five months old. She was only there for about four days, I think, before she took her own life."
The Litis' experience is shockingly common.
Depression affects one in seven new mothers in Australia
Suicide linked to depression and anxiety takes the lives of more new mothers in Australia than anything else.
Psychologist Shikkiah de Quadros-Wander works at the Tweddle Clinic for mothers and babies in suburban Melbourne, trying to catch new mums and dads before they become seriously ill.
She often wishes that people would come and see her sooner.
"There will be families who come here and they don't have babies, they have toddlers, and they have been experiencing these things for 18 months plus," she said.
"The word failure comes up a lot.
"Crying a lot, crying at anything and withdrawing socially and hiding. There's a lot that's hidden.
"Hiding how they're feeling from people around them who seem to be doing really well or enjoying every minute.
"And then, of course, there are the siblings as well, who are already in that family and feeling like they don't really have the room or the emotional energy to manage."
Federal funding of mental health services in review
The Tweddle Clinic assesses 1,000 parents for perinatal mental illness each year and, crucially, links them to treatment.
That screening service along with many others is in jeopardy.
Until June last year, state and federal governments funded the National Perinatal Depression Initiative.
The $85 million, five-year program helped screen tens of thousands of new mums and dads for depression and anxiety, and fund treatment and education for medical professionals.
However, wrangling between the states and the Commonwealth over a new round of funding has cast doubt over the program.
Now they are waiting for the results of a review into federal funding of mental health services to learn whether the initiative will continue.
"It's a crying shame that the momentum that we had harnessed over five years is slowly dwindling away," said Nicole Highet, the executive director of the Centre of Perinatal Excellence.
"It's slowly dissipating, in some states more than others.
"It potentially means that women won't be screened, so they won't be assessed and identified.
"It can potentially mean that women won't have access to available treatments, and it could mean that the level of death and disability increases as a result."
The Centre of Perinatal Excellence commissioned an analysis from Price Waterhouse Coopers of the economic costs of not identifying and treating maternal mental illness.
It estimates that if all treatment for perinatal depression and anxiety stopped, it would cost Australia $535 million a year in projected health costs for parents and babies and lost productivity.
Maternal depression affects future mental health of children
Professor Pat McGorry, a former Australian of the year, says his work with mentally ill teenagers would be vastly reduced if maternal depression was better identified and treated earlier.
"Mental health is underfunded across the board so we've got to spend the money wisely, so this is a great preventative opportunity," he said.
"It affects two people, not one. It interferes with the attachment and the future mental health of that child.
"So it's a vital area that we must screen for and invest in proper care around this period."
Stacey Noble knows first-hand how easy it is to slip through the cracks of the maternal health system.
"I saw the maternal and child health care nurse three times; I had a home visit and two centre visit," she said.
"The nurses were very good with the baby, they'd check the baby's weight, how it was feeding and sleeping and those things.
"The focus was very much on the baby and nothing about how I was doing."
After months of crippling depression and anxiety she eventually admitted herself to hospital where medication helped her recover.
For Mr Litis and his boys, even though life has moved on to happier times, there can never be a full recovery from losing their wife and mother, Louise.
"It's still a struggle some days but there's nothing like two young children to keep you going," Dean said.
"They bring me so much happiness and joy. They're just beautiful kids, and I'm sure Lou would be so proud of them.
"She had a really strong sense of family, and I thought she'd be a really great mum. And she was. She just didn't realise that herself."
By Madeleine Morris
2 April 2014
"Mental health is underfunded across the board so we've got to spend the money wisely, so this is a great preventative opportunity," he said.
"It affects two people, not one. It interferes with the attachment and the future mental health of that child.
"So it's a vital area that we must screen for and invest in proper care around this period."
Stacey Noble knows first-hand how easy it is to slip through the cracks of the maternal health system.
"I saw the maternal and child health care nurse three times; I had a home visit and two centre visit," she said.
"The nurses were very good with the baby, they'd check the baby's weight, how it was feeding and sleeping and those things.
"The focus was very much on the baby and nothing about how I was doing."
After months of crippling depression and anxiety she eventually admitted herself to hospital where medication helped her recover.
For Mr Litis and his boys, even though life has moved on to happier times, there can never be a full recovery from losing their wife and mother, Louise.
"It's still a struggle some days but there's nothing like two young children to keep you going," Dean said.
"They bring me so much happiness and joy. They're just beautiful kids, and I'm sure Lou would be so proud of them.
"She had a really strong sense of family, and I thought she'd be a really great mum. And she was. She just didn't realise that herself."
By Madeleine Morris
2 April 2014
Source: ABC News Online
If you, or anyone you know, feels they are at risk of perinatal depression please visit your GP as soon as possible. The Gidget Foundation is also an excellent source of information and advocate for perinatal anxiety and depression so please visit their website for an extensive list of resources.
If you, or anyone you know, feels they are at risk of perinatal depression please visit your GP as soon as possible. The Gidget Foundation is also an excellent source of information and advocate for perinatal anxiety and depression so please visit their website for an extensive list of resources.
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