In many situations the decision to seek treatment for postnatal psychosis will fall to the mother’s partner or family and close support people. It can be hard for a woman’s support people to take this step, but postnatal psychosis requires urgent medical attention.
“I was a complete mess. My mum decided to call out the mental health team. It was the safest decision as I was potentially at risk of harming myself and/or family whilst I was in such an agitated state.”
Partners or other support people may also need to organise care arrangements for the baby if they’re not admitted to hospital with their mum.
If you are concerned about your partner or a loved one’s safety, someone will need to stay with her until you seek help. There are lots of supports available. You can:
- Call PANDA’s National Helpline – 1300 726 306
- Take her to see a GP, or arrange a telehealth appointment
- Call the Mental Health Triage service in your area for advice
- Take her to the nearest hospital emergency department
When seeking help make sure to tell reception or health care staff that her behaviour is unusual and possibly unsafe, that she has a very young baby and that you think she is experiencing postnatal psychosis.
If you are concerned about the woman’s or the baby’s immediate safety you may need to call 000 for an ambulance or the police. It’s important to call 000 if she is refusing any other type of help and you have safety concerns.
You’ll need to tell emergency services that her behaviour is unusual and potentially dangerous, that she has a very young baby and that you think she might have postnatal psychosis.
If you need help now, call your state's mental health crisis line for immediate expert support. They will help you work out which services can best help. This could be the doctor, a hospital emergency department or a community mental health service. Sometimes, the mental health emergency response team will be sent to you, wherever you are.
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State mental health lines