UP to one in seven new mums and one in 20 new dads are diagnosed with postnatal depression in Australia each year.
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Queanbeyan senior child and family health nurse Barbara Bennett believes postnatal depression is still a taboo subject but is hoping to change that.
Each year they hold an annual walk during Postnatal Depression Awareness Week. On Wednesday, November 19 more than 100 Queanbeyan mums and bubs toured the town in support of the cause.
"We run this walk each year and what we find is that through raising the profile of postnatal depression that there will be referrals that result from the day," Ms Bennett said.
"There may be mothers that will approach family and health nurses during the event where depression and/or anxiety are issues for them. We're then able to support them and refer them appropriately.
"It's often an issue that's still taboo in society so having a day like today, it raises the profile of the issues and allows an open discussion."
Many of the participants in the walk come from the Jerrabomberra and Queanbeyan Walk and Talk Groups. The Walk and Talk Group encourages mums to return to their pre-pregnancy fitness level and is a chance to socialise with other mothers, Ms Bennett said.
"It's often an issue that's still taboo in society so having a day like today, it raises the profile of the issues and allows an open discussion."
- Barbara Bennett
A trained fitness instructor and child and family health nurse is also present at weekly meetings.
"[The Walk and Talk Group] provides a non-threatening for mums to meet with other mothers and get social support and to establish a new friendship network," Ms Bennett said.
"Often prior to having a baby they've been professional people or at university and they may not have any friends that are also having babies...
"Through the Walk and Talk Group and Mother's Groups we run, they're able to establish a good support network [which] helps in the prevention of postnatal depression."
Queanbeyan mothers Madelyn White and Elizabeth Webb regularly join the Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra Walk and Talk Groups each week.
"You go through an initial stage of being in the house and all you're doing is feeding, sleeping and eating so once a week to go out and meet other mums is the reason I did it," Mrs White said.
Miss Webb agreed the combination of exercise and social interaction is appealing.
"The social interaction and seeing the other mums and watch their bubs grow up, it's nice to get out and get exercise at the same time," she said.
"There's actually now a group of mums that catch up outside of Mum's Group as well, so we've made friends outside of the group."