25/11/2025
As Chair of the National APA Women’s, Men’s & Pelvic Health Group, SPC Principal Physio Dr. Angela James ✨ had the privilege of attending the launch event for the Perinatal Mental Health Week campaign at Parliament House. The event was officiated by the Minister for Health and Aged Care/NDIS, The Hon. Mark Butler MP, and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, The Hon. Emma McBride MP.
The room brought together 68 organisations working in the perinatal mental health space, alongside people with lived experience who courageously shared their stories—powerfully highlighting the ongoing need for wrap-around services that deliver “what you need, when you need it.”
With 1 in 5 mums and 1 in 10 dads experiencing mental health challenges during this major life transition, it is clear that collaborative action is essential to improving support and outcomes for Australian families.
As pelvic health physiotherapists, Dr. James and her colleagues are advocating for Medicare-funded access to pelvic health physiotherapy—supporting expectant parents to understand and care for their pelvic and whole-body health, prepare for birth, and navigate recovery. When this moment is supported well, new parents can enter early parenthood with confidence and reduce the longer-term impacts of pelvic floor dysfunction and associated emotional distress.
Dr. James noted that it was wonderful to connect with likeminded colleagues from This Way Up and the Australian Midwifery Federation, exploring ways to continue working together to ensure families can access “what they need, when they need it.” 💙
Australian Physiotherapy Association
