The perinatal mental health charity Gidget Foundation has released new data this week, showing that more than half of expectant and new parents experience perinatal mental health symptoms. 

Only two in five of these people have sought professional help.

As a recipient of help from the Gidget Foundation, young Dapto mother Lisa Carrick said she wanted to urge any struggling new parents in the Illawarra to speak up and know “they’re not alone, and there is support out there.”

To help the Gidget Foundation meet the increasing demand for perinatal mental health services, every donation made on Gidget Giving Day, held on June 19, will be doubled for 24 hours.

Read Illawarra Mercury’s exclusive interview with Carrrick here.