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COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) is Australia's peak body in perinatal mental health. COPE supports the emotional and mental health of new, hopeful and expectant parents, and supports health professionals to deliver best practice in perinatal mental health care.

Vision and mission

COPE’s purpose is to prevent the incidence and minimise the impact of emotional and mental health problems in the perinatal period, and to improve the quality of life of those living with these conditions.

COPE’s vision is a connected, informed and empowered community that supports women and their families to achieve strong and enduring mental health.

COPE’s mission is to enable mandatory national perinatal mental health screening and referrals, based on the National Guideline.

How COPE can help

COPE works nationally to support perinatal mental health through strategic partnerships, public awareness campaigns, and best practice guidelines. It provides resources including the Ready to COPE guide, accredited training for health professionals and families, and innovative screening tools with national data analytics. The COPE Directory connects parents and practitioners to qualified services. COPE also drives research and advocacy to improve care standards.

Programs and apps and tools

  • Ready to COPE Stay informed and feel reassured during pregnancy, birth and the first year of parenthood with the free Ready to COPE Guide.
  • COPE Directory Find an accredited professional, service organisation or community support service with perinatal mental health expertise on the COPE Directory.
  • Applied Skills in Perinatal Mental Health Assessment and Care Underpinned by the 2023 National Perinatal Mental Health Guideline, this online training course has been designed for trained mental health professionals wishing to gain specialist expertise in perinatal mental health.
  • Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health Fully funded by the Commonwealth Government and informed by the 2023 Guideline, Mental Health in the Perinatal Period: Australian Clinical Practice Guideline, this free, comprehensive online training program is designed to provide health professionals with a practical overview of best practice.
  • Preparing for Parenthood Developed to provide hopeful, expecting and new parents with information and insights about the range of emotional health challenges that can arise when having a baby – yet are often not spoken about openly.

Recommended links

Last reviewed: August 2025

Information from this partner

Found 40 results

Recovery from birth | COPE

Recovering from birth can take time. In most cases giving birth, especially to your first baby, can be physically and emotionally exhausting.

Read more on COPE website

Recovering from a difficult birth | COPE

Recovering from a difficult birth

Read more on COPE website

The IVF journey | COPE

Coping with IVF can be difficult. It can impact emotional and mental health, and increase rates of depression, anxiety and stress.

Read more on COPE website

Pregnancy Loss | COPE

Although common, pregnancy loss can impact your emotional and mental health. Read more about how to cope after pregnancy loss.

Read more on COPE website

Miscarriage | COPE

While miscarriage may be common, it can be extremely distressing. There are a range of supports available for coping with miscarriage.

Read more on COPE website

Stillbirth | COPE

It is common to feel a range of other reactions including guilt, anguish, jealousy and/or shame following the loss of a baby.

Read more on COPE website

Preparing for pregnancy | COPE

How you can prepare yourself both physically and emotionally for pregnancy.

Read more on COPE website

Post traumatic stress disorder following birth | COPE

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following birth can develop if you have personally experienced or witnessed a traumatic birth event.

Read more on COPE website

Birth trauma | COPE

Recovering from a traumatic birth can take time but supports are available to help you recover from birth trauma.

Read more on COPE website

Lack of sleep and effect on your mood | COPE

Lack of sleep (sleep deprivation) can have a great effect on your mood, energy and ability to think clearly.

Read more on COPE website

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