Demand for postnatal depression support services rose by about a-quarter last year, but the call for help is being heard, with techniques from baby massage to distracting lollies helping mothers past the darkest times.

For federal public servant Louise Frame, the pressure of caring for newborn Ryan and his three-year-old brother Dean was overwhelming.

"I just wanted to go, I had the plan I was going to drive to Sydney, I was just going to get away for a few weeks or months, I wanted to get out," Ms Frame said.

The Isabella Plains mum said it was six weeks after her youngest's birth last year when she realised her "baby blues" were not going away, with constant crying and anxiety.

"I would catastrophise things - the boys' health, my husband's safety - that weren't even close to happening," she said.

Ms Frame was referred by her GP to the Post and Ante Natal Depression Support and Information group, and said that within a month the practical sessions and advice were making her feel better.

"The baby massage classes [had] such a calming atmosphere – and because you're so intimate, down with your baby, you become calm from his calmness … it's an amazing bonding experience," she said.

Getting out of the house and exercising – the now 34-year-old lost 12 kilograms in six months – was another important aid, as was PANDSI's techniques of using a nice-smelling moisturiser and eating Pop Rocks as circuit-breakers to negative thoughts.

PANDSI chief executive Polly McIntyre said the not-for-profit group normally saw about 250 parents over a year, with about five per cent clients men, but was set to have assisted 300 clients by the end of 2014.

The number of women who accessed ACT Health's Perinatal Mental Health Consultation Service also rose by 27 per cent in 2012-13, after a 17 per cent rise the year before.

A national survey published in 2012 found one in five mothers suffered depression during their pregnancy or first two years after giving birth.

At the perinatal stage – pregnancy and first year after birth – ACT mothers had the second-highest rate of depression, at 12.4 per cent.

Ms McIntyre said Canberra mothers' higher average level of education may create a better awareness, but other factors could also influence the high report rates.

"I do think the isolation is a big factor, and we do have a higher proportion of women in the workforce here in Canberra," she said.

"You can't control a baby like you can control work, and that could well contribute to the Canberra picture."

National Perinatal Depression Initiative ACT project manager Sally Haseler said Canberra's higher rates were a sign of better identification and reporting.

"Really South Australia – which had the highest rate of perinatal depression -- are the pinnacle of where we need to go to, they've developed a lot of fantastic resources."

The initiative supports the screening of all women for depression at least once when pregnant and then six to eight weeks after birth, and trains health professionals.

Narrabundah mother Louise, 32, said she was diagnosed with depression following extended feeding difficulties with her now 10-month-old son Frederic, who at one point would only feed in his sleep.

"It was like, how could this be what motherhood was like?" she said.

"I just felt so black, and lost, I didn't recognise myself any more."

Through medication, exercise and baby massage -- and like Ms Frame, a return to work -- Louise said she had made very significant steps to complete recovery.

"That's important for women to understand; chances are you're going to make a complete recovery and be fine," she said.

Postnatal Depression Awareness Week runs from November 16-22. For help, contact Mental Health Crisis Line on 1800 629 354 or PANDSI 6288 1936.