Mental health

Mental health is essential to everyone, and we want to make sure you are supported in your perinatal mental health journey. Here are several external organisations and services you can access for mental health support:

Lifeline ph. 13 11 14

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia national helpline) ph. 1300 726 306

Access Mental Health Team ACT Health ph. 1800 629 354

Perinatal Mental Health Consultation Service ACT Health (by referral) ph. 6205 1469

Latest

Katie's fundraiser

I'd be very grateful if you would consider donating a small amount of money to support the vital work of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre here in Canberra. This valuable service provides mental health support to new parents.
Cakeberra

Announcing our new book, Cakeberra: An ABC Adventure to Canberra's Favourite Sights! This is visually rich children's book that pairs much-loved Canberra locations with unique cakes, teaching children about Canberra's sights and locales as well as the letters of the alphabet.
Perinatal Mental Health Week 2025

Perinatal Mental Health Week 2025 (23–29 November) is centred on the powerful theme “What you need, when you need it.” Learn more about the week and how you can participate.
Perinatal Wellbeing Fest 2025 - A Fabulous Event!

Last week's 2025 Perinatal Wellbeing Fest was a smash hit - take a look at what everyone got up to!

Out of hours Help

There are currently some services that are providing support after hours or 24/7. Read on to get connected to these services.
Men's support

It's important to remember that expecting and new fathers can also face difficulties and may need to access resources of their own. We have provided several of these below.
Parenting

There are a host of other services and support networks you can reach out to if you are looking for further assistance in your parenting journey. Here are just a few of the excellent services you can access:
Feeding, sleep & settling

Here are several services and contacts you can reach out to if you want assistance with feeding, sleeping or settling your baby.
Pregnancy

There are many services and networks you can connect to to receive support throughout your pregnancy. Here are a few key sources that can help.
Health

Your general health is incredibly important during crucial times like the perinatal period. If you want health support, here are several resources that can be of great assistance.

How we help you

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre programs are designed to provide the support you need at every stage.
What we do

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the Australian Capital Territory. Primarily funded by ACT Health, it is staffed by experienced perinatal mental health workers and administration staff.
Support groups

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre provides support groups aimed at connecting you with others who are having similar experiences. Groups provide an opportunity to share mutual support, as well as looking at strategies to aid in recovery.
Donate today

Please show your support for parents and families experiencing perinatal mental health challenges by making a tax deductible donation to Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.
Self care strategies for parents and caregivers

Caring for a small child can be rewarding, exciting, surprising and frustrating. It can also sometimes be stressful, exhausting and worrying. Check out our list of self care ideas, and think about how these ideas might fit into your routine.
Perinatal anxiety

1 in 4 people will experience anxiety in their lifetime and for women it is more likely to occur during pregnancy or in the year following birth. As many as 1 in 5 women will experience perinatal anxiety. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal anxiety.
The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia

Perinatal depression and anxiety costs $877 million a year in Australia, and that is just the beginning. Our new report 'The Cost of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Australia' highlights key findings on the economic costs of PNDA.
Perinatal depression

Depression occurs in up to 1 in 10 women during pregnancy, and in up to 1 in 7 women after the birth of a baby. Men are also affected by postnatal depression. Certain factors, such as mental health history, complicated pregnancy or birth, or having an unwell or unsettled baby can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal depression.
Board

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is governed by a volunteer Board and complies with the regulations of the ACT Associations Incorporation Act (1991). The Board is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, providing strategic direction and overseeing all operations of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre.
Phone support

Clients can receive fortnightly or monthly telephone support calls with our team of perinatal mental health workers.