SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE 

DAVID SMITH MP
MEMBER FOR BEAN 

MORE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR CANBERRA PARENTS

New and expectant Canberran parents will get free, personalised mental health support with a new perinatal mental health centre to be established in Tuggeranong on Canberra’s Southside. 

The Albanese Government-funded centre will offer Canberran families support during the vital perinatal period from pregnancy through to baby’s first birthday.

This is a time when up to one in five women and one in ten men experience anxiety and/or depression.

The centre will help meet local demand for mental health care and provide psychological services with no out-of-pocket costs.

Parents will need a referral from a GP and a mental health care plan.

Providing early intervention and support will reduce the effect of perinatal mental illness on families and set them up for a healthier, stable future.

The government has provided more than $26 million to establish a network of centres around the country, which together will help more than 2,800 parents each year.

The centres will be operated by Gidget Foundation Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that supports the emotional wellbeing of expecting and new parents.

The Tuggeranong centre will be established and operational by 2026.

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:

“It’s common to be overwhelmed and tired during pregnancy and as a new parent, but many Australians are faced with far greater challenges.

“Becoming a parent is a profound change, for many parents understandably it can be overwhelming.

“These perinatal mental health centres will provide families needing that extra support for free.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Gallagher:

“We know that up to one in five women experience anxiety and depression during the perinatal period, but too often they don’t know where to turn for support.

“Today’s announcement of a perinatal mental health centre here in Canberra will help to address local demand for these services and provide new families with the support they need, when they need it.

“The Gidget Foundation has helped to deliver tens of thousands of appointments over the years, and I’m proud that Canberrans will now benefit from their expertise through free, personalised mental health support.”

Quotes attributable to David Smith MP, Member for Bean:

“The Albanese Government is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of the Tuggeranong community.

“We want to support them to build the happy and healthy lives every parent and child deserves.”

Quotes attributable to Arabella Gibson, Gidget Foundation Australia CEO:

“We know there are over 12,000 new parents in the ACT each year.  This equates to around 2,000 parents who will be impacted by perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) every year.  It is crucial expectant, new and potential parents are able to access timely and appropriate care, due to the widespread impact of PNDA.

“At Gidget Foundation Australia we have delivered over 95,000 appointments to parents since inception, and the impact of our specialist services extend beyond the client, benefiting both the child, partner, other family members as well as employers, government services and the wider community. 

“We are thrilled with the announcement to establish a Gidget House in Tuggeranong in partnership with the Federal Government.”

ENDS