Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood (called the perinatal period) can bring significant changes to a person’s life. If the challenges for expecting and new parents become an overwhelming mental struggle, they may experience perinatal depression or anxiety.
Perinatal depression and anxiety affect almost 100,000 Australians each year, equating to one in five expecting and new mums and one in 10 expecting and new dads.
With many expecting and new parents being affected by anxiety and isolation due to COVID-19 and associated restrictions this year, it is more important than ever to support families facing mental health challenges.
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) provides the only national helpline dedicated to perinatal anxiety and depression, and postnatal psychosis. It offers information, counselling and referral to expecting and new mothers and fathers, and their families and friends, in metropolitan, rural and remote areas. It also supports health professionals.
PANDA Week 2020 (8 – 14 November) aims to raise awareness about mental illness that affects women and men who are expecting a baby, or those in the first year after their baby’s birth.
The theme for PANDA Week 2020 is ‘Tell someone who cares’. It’s vital that expecting and new parents who are struggling know they’re not alone. They can reach out for help from PANDA, perinatal mental health specialists, other health professionals, or family members.
PANDA is encouraging the community to share information and messages from its newly released PANDA Week 2020 digital toolkit. Feel free to dip in and share whatever takes your fancy!
PANDA will host a live webinar for families during PANDA Week, exploring the complex parenting journey.
The webinar takes place on Wednesday 11 November at 1pm. It is called ‘Why Good Enough Parenting Is Great Parenting and Good for Your Mental Health Too’.
The webinar will share inspiring real-life stories and practical ideas to help your family. It will feature an experienced PANDA counsellor, a guest expert speaker in infant mental health, and a panel of parents with lived experience.
Support, resources and more information
- PANDA National Helpline, Mon to Fri, 9am – 7.30pm: 1300 726 306
- PANDA website
- Fact sheets for family members and health practitioners