Perinatal Emotional Health Program

The Perinatal Emotional Health Program (PEHP) is the Victorian Government response to the National Perinatal Depression Initiative, which is committed to early detection, support and treatment for women experiencing perinatal emotional health issues.

The program is designed to support women during pregnancy and up to 12 months after the birth of a child. Education and workforce training are also components of this program. To ensure seamless and timely response, partnerships between Mental Health Services, Maternity Services and Maternal & Child Health Services are being developed in each region.

The PEHP program, under the auspice of Barwon Health Mental Health Drugs and Alcohol Services, was being introduced to the Barwon region in late 2010 with the employment of three PEHP nurses (two full-time staff equivalent) to work collaboratively with existing services and to create further accessibility to women who are hard to reach with the capacity for outreach.

Collation with health services already seeing the woman will also be sought to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health services.  Referrals will be accepted by services with client consent or by self-referral.

The activities to be undertaken by the PEHP nurses will include:
• Direct evidence-based treatment in either an outreach or clinical setting
• Care coordination including advocacy, advice and maintenance of supportive contact until the woman is adequately engaged with other services.
• Group education
• Workforce training
• Secondary consultation.

The program aims to oversee the screening of women for perinatal mental health issues in line with the NHMRC guidelines with particular reference to the Edinborough Depression Scale. The Department of Health has commissioned a three-year evaluation of the program with participation from the PEHP positions and all stakeholders.
 
Referral forms may be faxed or emailed to:
Fax: 5222 4798
Phone: 5246 8100
Email: pehp@barwonhealth.org.au 
 
PEHP is not a crisis response service and operates Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.
 
In crisis, call Barwon Health Mental Health Drus and Alcohol Services Triage on 1300 094 187.

Forms:

EPDS translated versions (PDF 4 MB)   

DASS 21 scale (PDF 169 KB)

Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (PDF 98 KB)

PEHP referral form (PDF 492 KB)

PEHP brochure (PDF 2 MB)