The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the incidence and severity of anxiety and depression among new and expectant mothers in Australia, with an increase in calls to helplines and support services. At the same time, many people have become more reluctant to attend medical appointments in person due to COVID-19 concerns.

Calls to the PANDA national helpline have more than doubled during the pandemic and demand for perinatal mental health support services has increased significantly.

According to Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) Founder and Executive Director Dr Nicole Highet, who recently presented at Healthed’s Annual Women’s & Children’s Health Update in Sydney, similar impacts are reverberating around the world.

“International research has shown that pregnant women may be more vulnerable to the negative mental health effects of a large-scale public health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased uncertainty, fear of exposure to the virus and the impact of social distancing restrictions.