Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler has launched a set of information resources to help health-care professionals detect and treat depression, anxiety and other mental-health problems among pregnant women and new mothers.

The resources were developed by the national depression and anxiety organisation beyondblue. Postnatal depression affects one in seven new mothers, while about one in 10 pregnant women experience antenatal mental-health problems.

Beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell says health-care professionals had sought reliable and accessible information and training on mental-health disorders in pregnant women and new mothers. "This is important not only for the women, but their families too," she says. "Research has linked postnatal depression to higher rates of emotional, cognitive and behavioural problems in children which can persist through their teenage years."

Beyondblue deputy CEO and perinatal program manager Dr Nicole Highet says it is not normal to be depressed during pregnancy. "These new resources will provide health professionals with easily accessible information about depression, anxiety and related disorders during pregnancy and the first year following birth," she says. "We hope this will result in more women being checked, more symptoms being detected and more women getting the help they need."

The new resources are complemented by a free accredited online training program. For further information contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or visit the beyondblue website.