Introduction
PANDA Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia supports the mental health of individuals and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.
In the early eighties, two women experiencing postnatal depression came together to support each other. Based on their shared experience, they saw the need for a support group for mums affected by childbirth related mood disorders, and PaNDa (Post and Antenatal Depression Association) was established. In the early days, PANDA relied on hard working and dedicated volunteers – parents who had recovered from perinatal anxiety and depression - to run support groups and provide 24-hour telephone support service from their homes.
39 years later, PANDA now has 639 volunteers working across 5 different areas of the organisation.
Community Champion volunteers
PANDA’s Community Champions program began in 2016. United by their shared experiences, parents and families impacted by perinatal mental health, work hard to advocate, share their story, raise community awareness and reduce stigma.
Community Champion volunteers have their own unique experiences of perinatal mental health and/or have supported someone who has. By 2022, there were 332 passionate PANDA Community Champions.
Community Champions lead and support with a wide range of activities:
- Information and resourcesthrough the development of key resources, tools and training for community and health care providers
- Sharing their story to help break down barriers through personal, real-life experiences and share the importance of reaching out for help.
- Community awareness raising appearing on TV, radio, online and on social media to speak to the experience and importance of seeking help and having a responsive support system for all parents.
- Fundraising and events helping to hold events and raise funds to support PANDA in reaching out to expecting and new parents, health care professionals and the community.
- Research and development by adding their voice to the growing data about the impact of perinatal mental health challenges and supporting national and local consultation as and where needed.
Clinical Champion volunteers
PANDA Clinical Champions are a newly formed network of clinicians and experts working in perinatal health care who volunteer with PANDA. Most Clinical Champions have experienced perinatal mental health challenges, supported loved ones or have a particular interest in this area. By 2022, there were 244 Clinical Champions working alongside PANDA.
Clinical Champions may assist PANDA with:
- The development of key resources and tools for health care providers
- Position statements and recommendation papers on key issues relevant to perinatal mental health in Australia
- Service planning, design and innovation
- Public health (awareness raising) campaign
- Community and health professional education and training programs
- Understanding of systemic barriers to perinatal mental health care, to inform our work and others
Peer Support volunteers
PANDA’s Peer Support Volunteers have their own experiences of perinatal mental health vulnerability and work on PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline.
Peer Support Volunteers use their lived experience and journey of perinatal mental health to provide peer support to expecting and new parents who are experiencing perinatal mental health challenges and adjusting to becoming a parent.
In 2021, 36 volunteers worked a total of 2,102 hours in the peer support program and on the national Perinatal Mental Health Helpline.
Peer support is a fundamental part of the Australian mental health care system. Here, valued team members provide inclusive, non-judgemental support that provides hope and positive outcomes for those they care for.
Community Education volunteers
PANDA’s Community Education volunteers provide group-based education and training in Victoria. Through ‘Purposeful storytelling’ training supported by PANDA, volunteers turn their lived experience and recovery journey into a tool to educate the community and health care providers in ways that are safe, meaningful and trauma informed.
In 2021, there were 20 Community Education volunteers who assisted with:
- Upskilling care providers by telling their lived experience story
- Educating new parents about PANDA and their experience of perinatal mental health
- Facilitating peer education sessions in new parent groups.
Administration volunteers
Administration Volunteers work alongside the National Helpline Services team and Peer Support team to provide day-to-day support to the helpline service and our broader perinatal mental health services.
In 2021, 7 Administration volunteers contributed 529 hours to PANDA.
Volunteer Board and committee members
The volunteers on PANDA’s board and subcommittees are vital to our work. Across 2021, there were nine board volunteers. Eight of these volunteers have a lived experience of perinatal mental health issues as a parent or carer, showing the passion the board shares for the work of PANDA. We also have consumer and clinical volunteers on PANDAs Quality and Clinical Governance Committee.