Combatting Postnatal Depression: Exploring The Role of Serious Games in New Parent Support
This study seeks to utilise digital and serious game technologies, along with early detection innovations, to assist perinatal infant mental health (PIMH) clinicians in supporting parents in their third trimester of pregnancy, including both birthing and non-birthing parents. The goal is to address the stigma surrounding postnatal depression (PND), which can become a barrier to seeking timely professional assessment and treatment, and there are limited interventions for those in the pregnancy phase. The study aims to utilise serious game technology in novel ways to reach those at risk of PND who may not seek timely professional help, and provide awareness-building, education, self-care strategies, and appropriate referral pathways. This study is designed as an exploratory analysis, intended to provide preliminary data to determine the feasibility and initial efficacy of the serious game in this context.