PANDA is a national telephone counselling service delivered by professional counsellors and dedicated peer support volunteers with a lived experience of perinatal mental health conditions. When you call, your call will be answered by a counsellor, or you may be asked to leave us a message during peak times.
In every call you have with PANDA, we listen to your story. Everyone’s parenthood journey is unique, and we want to know about you and your experience.
We provide you with a reassuring, confidential space for you to talk openly and honestly about your thoughts, feelings and experiences around pregnancy and parenthood. Together, we’ll explore what supports you currently have in place and whether you’d benefit from any others.
PANDA can help find you the support you need. You and your PANDA counsellor will develop a care plan together including referrals, ideas and strategies that will help support you.
“I spoke with a PANDA counsellor and felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. It was the first step on my road to recovery.”
Helpful Information
Talking about perinatal mental health
Common questions about the PANDA Helpline
1
Why would I call PANDA?
2
Do I need a referral or diagnosis to call PANDA?
3
What happens when I call PANDA?
4
Does PANDA offer follow up calls?
5
Does PANDA offer interpreters?
6
Are calls to PANDA confidential?
Stories
PANDA National Helpline
Find someone to talk to, Monday to Saturday.
1300 726 306
Call 000 for police and ambulance if you or someone else are in immediate danger
Talk with friends or family
Consider talking about how you are feeling with someone you trust. This might be a friend or family member. Once you starting talking you might be surprised at how many others have had similar experiences and the support they can provide you.
Talk with your doctor
Talking with your doctor can be an important step to getting the help you need. They should be able to give you non-judgemental support, assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing care and treatment. They can also refer you to specialists such as a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist.
Get help now
If you are having suicidal thoughts or are feeling disorientated it’s important to get help immediately. PANDA is not a crisis service, if you need immediate support call Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7).