Targeted mental health support for new and expecting parents has been rolled out by West Wimmera Shire Council.
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According to BeyondBlue, up to one in five expecting or new mothers will experience perinatal anxiety or depression, along with one in 10 expecting or new fathers.
Midwife Adrienne Caldow, part of the shire's community support and wellbeing team, will provide mental health treatment and support for parents.
West Wimmera Shire Council is one of the first councils in the state to introduce the service.
The council's maternal and child health nurse co-ordinator, Monica Feder, said a perinatal mental health clinician was needed in the community.
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"Being pregnant or becoming a new parent can be both exciting and challenging, but sometimes people have trouble adjusting to the changes that come with the arrival of a new baby," she said.
"There was a gap in the services we offered and Adrienne will help us provide more targeted and ongoing support to those who need it."
Ms Feder said that perinatal depression and anxiety was a serious mental health issue for parents in the shire.
"Previously, the only option available for parents who needed support was either travelling to Horsham to use counsellors there, or phone support such as Panda and Beyond Blue," she said.
Ms Caldow previously operated domiciliary services within West Wimmera Shire and has training in mental health care.
She will provide maternity services including shared antenatal care, pre-natal classes and domiciliary services through the Edenhope Hospital.
Part of her role will be actively following-up mental health screenings and perinatal mental health concerns identified by maternal and child health nurses, midwives or general practitioners.
She will also undertake clinical assessments, provide psychoeducation and advice and advocate on women's mental health issues.
