Perinatal depression
November 14, 2012
PERINATAL depression costs the
Australian economy $433 million
per annum, according to a new
report by the Post and Antenatal
Depression Association (PANDA).
The report found that around
1,800 Aussie parents are diagnosed
every week with post and antenatal
depression, and noted that both
mums and dads were susceptible
to the condition.
“This is a condition which we
tend to associate with women but
it actually affects one in twenty
men as well so we need to raise
awareness and break down the
stigma so that all parents feel
comfortable speaking up and
seeking support,” said the Minister
for Mental Health Mark Butler.
Breaking down the costs, the
report found that lost productivity
due to perinatal depression will cost
workplaces $310.34m (with costs
substantially higher for men than
for women); whilst the Govt and
private direct health care costs for
the condition tally to around $78.66m
(including primary care, psychiatrist
and allied health services,
medications, hospital, and
community mental health services).
The costs to the wider community
were also found to sit at $44.53m
from direct expenditure on health
services and forgone taxation
revenue due to lost earnings.
The report has been released in
the lead up to this year’s Postnatal
Depression Awareness Week 18-24
November, with both PANDA and
Butler calling for increased awareness
of depression and anxiety during
pregnancy and the first year after
the birth of a baby.
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