It's Postnatal Depression Week down under in Australia. (For the uninitiated, postnatal depression isthe "Queen's English" termfor postpartum depression.)
Beyondblue, the national depression initiative in Australia, conducted a survey to find outwhat Australians think about postnatal depression. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald:
"Most Australians mistakenly believe suffering depression is a normal part of pregnancy.
Researchers at the nation's depression initiative beyondblue are worried women experiencing antenatal or postnatal depression will be reluctant to get help if most people think it is part and parcel of motherhood.
Of the 733 men and women surveyed, more than half believe it is normal for women to feel depressed during pregnancy.
One quarter of respondents think postnatal depression does not require treatment and will go away on its own."
Beyondblue is working to ensure women realize thatpostnatal depression is arealillness that doesn't just go away without help, and also to make sure that women with these illnesses are identified by their physicians. Australia's ABC Networkreports that"… planning has begun for doctors across Australia to routinely screen women for depression during and after pregnancy. Beyondblue psychologist Nicole Highet says New South Wales and Western Australia have already started routine screening and the program is set to be expanded nationwide."
