The Radiance Network South West website will be launched at a festival in Busselton to raise awareness about perinatal anxiety and depression.
As many as one in five expectant new mums and one in ten new dads will experience perinatal anxiety and depression.
South West Women’s Health educator Anne Mackay said the good news was perinatal mental illness was temporary and treatable.
“Guilt and shame can often get in the way of people asking for help, so we need talk about it and and say that seeking support early leads to a faster recovery,” she said.
The support network was designed to help parents in the region improve their emotional wellbeing as they journey into parenthood and was made possible by a donation to Lamp Inc by a community member.
A support group for people with perinatal anxiety and depression has already commenced in Busselton on Tuesdays from 9.30am at the People Place.
The Act-Belong-Commit Radiance Festival will be held at Signal Park from 8am on Sunday, November 19 starting with yoga in the park and will be followed by the big pram walk at 9am.
Ms Mackay said it would be awesome to get the whole community walking together and that people did not need a pram to participate.
The walk will cost $5 and children aged under 12 years are free.
The festival runs until 12pm and will include 22 stall holders and free entertainment for children along with a raffle with prizes including a return flight to Rottnest Island with champagne.
Guest speakers will also share their personal stories on the day.
To take part in the event register on Facebook at the Big Pram Walk Busselton or phone 9791 3350 or 0490 094 994 or register before 8.30am on the day.
The Radiance Festival was made possible by Healthway, the City of Busselton and Parenting Connection.