Up to one in 10 Australian women will experience depression during pregnancy (the antenatal period). This increases to one in seven in the postnatal period (the year following birth). Anxiety is thought to be even more common. The Just Speak Up campaign aims to promote awareness of depression and anxiety in the antenatal and postnatal periods, reduce stigma and provide information about where to get help. It's important to "just speak up" about emotional and mental health difficulties - by doing this, we can all play a vital role in supporting women and families going through a difficult time.
