Online not in line: Bridging the gap in mental health care for parents in the perinatal period

Meet the clinical nurse navigator delivering treatment directly into the hands of parents struggling to access mental health care in Tasmania.

Astrid Tiefholz RNM is a Clinical Nurse Navigator in the Tasmanian ForWhen Perinatal Infant Mental Health (PIMH) program run by Karitane .?

ForWhen assists individuals facing moderate to severe perinatal mental health issues, including mothers, fathers, grandparents, and adoptive parents. Clients can self-refer or be referred by various health services.??

A novel solution to the mental health care bottleneck?

“One of the main reasons I use THIS WAY UP is to get around the bottleneck to access mental health treatment in Tasmania. It can take 3-5 weeks to get an appointment with a GP here, let alone 6-8 weeks to see a psychologist.”?

To overcome delays in mental health treatment for her clients, Astrid prescribes THIS WAY UP’s perinatal programs , delivering immediate access to evidence-based treatments. The programs help bridge the gap during lengthy wait times for face-to-face services in Tasmania, providing clients with a valuable resource while awaiting more traditional forms of therapy.?

“When I found THIS WAY UP I said, “hooray!” It feels good to be able to take immediate action.”?

THIS WAY UP is particularly beneficial for reaching fathers and non-birthing partners who may not seek mental health support during the perinatal period. Astrid often recommends the general anxiety and depression programs for partners because she finds the anonymity of THIS WAY UP serves as a friendly introduction to therapy, increasing clients' mental health literacy and readiness for subsequent face-to-face or telehealth therapy.?

“I recommend THIS WAY UP to almost everyone I speak with. That’s mostly?pregnancy Anxiety and Depression Program or the postnatal Anxiety and Depression Program but it depends on the presentation.”?

As a clinician, Astrid values the immediacy of THIS WAY UP in supporting parents while they await service connections. She appreciates the program's ability to notify her of changes in clients' scores, allowing prompt intervention if necessary.??

Astrid actively promotes THIS WAY UP to fellow midwives and nurses in Tasmania, emphasising its relevance to the Australian context and its role in fostering client agency during the recovery process.?

“THIS WAY UP is a bit like an anonymous confessional. It’s a softer landing into the language of therapy. THIS WAY UP increases mental health literacy so that clients are more prepared for face to face or telehealth therapy when their appointment finally comes.”?

Thank you for sharing your story, Astrid!?

If you’d like to share the novel ways you’re using THIS WAY UP in your clinical context, please email us at [email protected].??

The ForWhen Helpline Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Helpline - PND | ForWhen ( forwhenhelpline.org.au ) provides Mental health support for expecting and new parents.??