PANDA National Helpline (Monday to Saturday) 1300 726 306

HomeSupport for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents

Aboriginal family eating lunch together

Becoming a parent is a big transition. It can impact your personal identity, family dynamics and relationship with yourself. When parents are supported and cared for, they are stronger to connect with culture, share stories, and raise proud, strong, leaders of tomorrow.

PANDA's free services play an important role in assisting new and expecting parents and support people during this transition. We support all families, especially those facing barriers accessing mainstream services.

You can find resources and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in the perinatal period on this page.

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Survive and Thrive podcast
Stories
Reconciliation Action Plan
Mental Health Checklist

“PANDA is proud to embrace and celebrate Australia’s First Nations culture. We work collaboratively to enhance the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, understanding the significant impact trauma and loss has had on their wellbeing since colonisation.”

Julie Borninkhof, PANDA CEO

PANDA can help

We worked with Aboriginal parents and Family Support Workers to develop a video highlighting how PANDA can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. When parents are supported, mob benefits.

Please contact us if you would like to use this video in your health care service. marketing@panda.org.au.

Survive and Thrive podcast

The mission to make birthing on country a reality for First Nations parents across Australia

Professor Yvette Roe discusses how Birthing on Country is giving First Nations babies and parents the best start on PANDA's podcast, Survive and Thrive.

Listen to the podcast
Shan smiling at the camera
Stories

Shan's story: Finding culturally safe support

"Things may not always go to plan and that's okay. Be open and willing to learn. Parenting is different for everyone but don't say no to support and love from those around you."

Reconciliation Action Plan

Reconciliation Action Plan

Having a RAP is very important to PANDA. It formalises the work we do to respectfully and meaningfully engage and partner with First Nations families, organisations, and stakeholders.

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).

PANDA CHATBOT

Chat to Dot

Meet Dot. They’re here to support you to explore your mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy and as a new parent.

Mental Health Checklist

How are you going?

Everyone's experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and

Complete our online mental health checklist to see if what you're experiencing or observing in a loved one could be a reason to seek

Start the checklist

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PANDA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

At PANDA, we embrace the power of diversity through inclusion. We strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We create relevant messaging and marketing for our diverse consumers. We listen and engage with our diverse communities. And we value collaboration with our diverse suppliers.

Reconciliation Action Plan

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While PANDA has exercised due care in ensuring the accuracy of the material contained on this website, the information is made available on the basis that PANDA is not providing professional advice on a particular matter. This website is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this website is intended to be used as medical advice, nor should it be used as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.

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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 a reason to seek help.