Now an advocate on the issue, Ms Clay has faced both postnatal depression and post-partum psychosis.

"With the first one, being a first-time mum, you just didn't know any different," she said.

"I was becoming very unwell. I was crying all the time and very reclusive. I was living at Deniliquin at the time, so I was a bit isolated."

When Ms Clay's son was nine months old, she was admitted for in-patient treatment for post-partum psychosis.

Before having her second son, Ms Clay sought advice and help, so she could prepare in case she suffered the conditions again.

"It was more of an informed birth and I had made more informed choices," she said.

"When my son was six months old I became ill, quite quickly, but we knew what worked from the previous time.

"I'm at the other end of it now, so I feel like I can use that journey and have insight and be able to come back and advocate for other women."

Ms Clay has been sharing her experiences with a group of researchers who are looking for any barriers for isolated women in accessing online support programs for postnatal depression.

The team is looking at what enables or prevents women being able to access an online program called MumMoodBooster,  which was developed by the Parent Infant Research Institute.

To undertake the research, the team needs to recruit new mums to take part. Participants will be asked to complete a short questionnaire, undertake the online program and talk to the researchers about their experiences in accessing the program.

Keryl de Haan from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District believes women should have access to clinically proven interventions for PND, regardless of where they live.

"Postnatal depression affects between 10 and 15 per cent of mothers within the first year after giving birth," Ms de Haan said.

"These women find access to support in rural and remote areas can be complex, and we want to ensure women have access to this clinically proven, online therapy," said Professor Bernoth.

The team will also make recommendations to ensure women with PND, and who are living in rural and remote areas, have access to support.

New mothers who are already seeking support from Tresillian in the Murrumbidgee Family Care Centre in Wagga, or through clinicians in Deniliquin and Narrandera can ask to be included in the research project.