Echuca Regional Health is one of the first hospitals in Victoria to offer an innovative online screening program to support the mental health of new and expectant mums, thanks to a new partnership with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence.
COPE has launched an iCOPE digital application to identify mums at risk of perinatal anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the year following birth.
The app will enable faster and more effective perinatal mental health screening to be undertaken across all clinical settings, from in-person to remote screening — via the patient’s mobile phone.
Founder and executive director of COPE and perinatal mental health specialist Nicole Highet said the pandemic had led to a noticeable shift in the reporting and severity of perinatal depression and anxiety, with a huge increase in calls to support services.
“With suicide being one of the leading causes of maternal death in Australia, mental health screening during pregnancy and the year after birth is critical,” Dr Highet said.
“Now, more than ever, our health services need to be using this world-leading technology to implement regular, faster and more efficient perinatal mental health screening to identify those at risk and those experiencing symptoms.
“The sooner symptoms are detected, the faster treatment can begin, which is why it’s so important to spot the signs early. Every new and expectant parent deserves the same opportunity to receive the mental wellbeing support they need, when they need it.”
ERH maternity nurse unit manager Karen Taylor said perinatal anxiety and depression was a serious issue facing our community.
“With over 450 births at ERH last financial year, the iCOPE screening tool will make a real difference in our community, allowing us to provide improved mental health support to more new mums and mums-to-be than ever before,” Ms Taylor said.
“The iCOPE screening can be conducted on an iPad, in the waiting room or on the patient’s mobile phone at home before their health consultation, saving time and increasing privacy, which many women have told us is really important.”
Statistics about perinatal anxiety and depression
• More than 100,000 Australian parents report being impacted by perinatal (pre- and post-natal) anxiety and depression every year.
• Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of affected women don’t seek help until they reach crisis point.
• One in ten women experience depression during pregnancy, increasing to one six in the year after their baby is born.
• One in five mums suffer perinatal anxiety.
• A recent international review also found that among women with perinatal mental health conditions, 20 per cent will experience suicidal thoughts or commit acts of self-harm.
• More than 76,000 iCOPE perinatal mental health checks have been conducted to date in Australia (including clinical trials).
The service is available in 25 languages; English, Arabic, Cantonese, Chin Hakka, Dari, Dinka, Mandarin, Persian/Farsi, Punjabi, Tamil, Turkish, Vietnamese, French, Hazaragi, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Karen, Central Khmer, Korean, Burmese, Nepali, Thai, Tagalog and Urdu.
iCOPE can be purchased by private medical practitioners delivering perinatal care in all states and territories, including GPs, obstetricians and private maternity hospitals. Visit www.diginostic.com.au/icope to learn more.
To find out more information about emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and after birth, visit www.icope.org.au
Parents needing counselling support should call the free PANDA National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline on 1300 726 306 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm.