BORDER GPs have jumped on board for training to ensure no mother suffering postnatal depression falls through the cracks.
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A dinner, to be held on March 17, will teach doctors how to detect signs of the illness which affects one in four mothers.
North East Border Mental Health Services project manager Jennifer Manwaring said the night would educate doctors and highlight the available services.
“In the time leading up to and after delivery, women can experience symptoms,” she said.
“Often women themselves don’t quite know what the problem is and the first port of call is their GP.
“Sometimes they can’t articulate what they are experiencing and if they fall between the gap, they can become quite unwell.
“The longer it takes for them to be treated, the longer it will take to recover.”
Treatment of postnatal depression in primary care was the theme of the dinner as set out by Albury Wodonga Health.
Mrs Manwaring said general practitioners and health service providers had shown a real interest in learning more about the topic.
Guest numbers for the dinner, at La Maison Cafe, reached capacity this week.
“I'm overwhelmed by the response and really thrilled they are putting this high on their agenda,” she said.
"The mothers’ experiences of postnatal distress has a significant impact on growth and development of babies and young children.”
Leading child and adolescent psychiatrist doctor Nick Kowalenko has volunteered to fly in from Sydney as a guest speaker on the night.
Mrs Manwaring said they also hoped to highlight the programs available for women suffering postnatal depression.
She said 124 women had already used AWH's perinatal emotional health program this year.
“The Albury Wodonga Health parents' and babies service was very well known, when it ran at Mercy Health, but the community is still getting used to the relocation and how to access those services,” she said.
“It is now located in Benson Street, Wodonga, and the staff for the perinatal and emotional health program are based at Watson Street.
“Those staff provide a service to any woman who delivers at Wodonga Hospital and cover an area including Urana, Holbrook, across Indigo Shire and southern NSW.”
