Effective perinatal mental health care can make a real difference
Do you know about all the other ways that PANDA can help you support expecting and new parents as a health and care provider? PANDA offers a wide range of resources to help you better support the families you work with.
Encouraging people to share
Providing a space of trust, care, and safety
Perinatal mental health screening is recommended in Australia, yet expecting and new parents may not always feel comfortable talking about their mental health and wellbeing concerns with a healthcare provider.
Callers to PANDA’s Helpline often share with us that they’ve been managing by themselves for weeks, or months, just wishing someone would ask how they’re feeling.
You can be the perinatal healthcare provider that does ask – then takes the time to listen and explore what might help someone feel less alone, and more supported.
Available care options
PERINATAL SUPPORT OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Effective perinatal mental health care can make a real difference during a time of big changes. There are many care options available for expecting and new parents experiencing perinatal mental health challenges.
What to look and listen for
Recognising the signs that someone may not be coping.
Many people present ‘well’ during healthcare provider interactions but may be feeling overwhelmed underneath a mask of coping.
Articles
Information to support your practice
Useful tools for health care providers
Video: Reach out early
Mental health checklist
How are you going?
Everyone’s experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and challenges. Our mental health checklist can help you to see if what you’re experiencing or observing in a loved one could be reason to seek help.
Checklist for
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).