Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH) has recently opened the 16th Gidget House in NSW, which offers perinatal mental health services to local parents at Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH).

With around 40 per cent of Sydneysiders finding parenting more challenging than expected, the Gidget House is now open for individuals experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).

The new service launches as 23 percent of Sydneysiders have said they wish they had more support from those around them, with another 23 per cent admitting they do not have a community they can call on to support them through parenthood.

Sydney parents admit the biggest challenges about being a new parent are the lack of sleep, getting into a routine, losing their independence and accepting their new identity as a parent.

To mark the opening of the new service, NSW Minister for Health, Honourable Brad Hazzard officially opened the Gidget House along with CEO of Gidget Foundation Australia, Arabella Gibson.

Mr Hazzard welcomed the service for expectant and new parents to the Northern Beaches area who can now access GP-referred, free specialist perinatal counselling sessions at NBH.