Jo joined PANDA in November 2019. During 2022, Jo was one of our most active Community Champions. Some of Jo’s achievements in 2022 included having her story shared in Women's Health online and the West Australian for Perinatal Mental Health Week, organising and attending the WA Community Champion face to face catch up and volunteering at the Pregnancy, Babies & Children's Expo in Perth.
At the end of 2022, Jo became a PANDA Peer Support Volunteer and was also appointed the WA State Community Engagement Coordinator. What a Champion!
Tell us about yourself
I am a mum of three and we live in the beautiful Perth hills with our dog Harvey. I have been working with families as a Nutritionist for the last 9 years and last year decided to pursue my dream of becoming a Psychologist. My aim is to continue working with families in the space of Maternal and Infant Mental Health.
Why did you choose to volunteer with PANDA?
I had perinatal anxiety and depression that started during my pregnancy with my first daughter (almost 23 years ago!) and again with my son (16 years ago). I didn't know about PANDA back then, but I was lucky to have found a supportive Child Health Nurse who referred me to a great GP. He recommended a local support group with other mothers experiencing similar challenges and I found this incredibly helpful.
It wasn't until 2019 when a friend of mine told me about the Community Champion program with PANDA that I even knew there was a way I could volunteer to help others who were experiencing similar challenges. I signed up to become a Community Champion and have been doing whatever I can to help share the incredible work PANDA does.
What has been the best thing that’s happened since you joined the PANDA Community Champions program?
I have been to two PBC Expos as a PANDA representative and I absolutely loved this opportunity. Speaking with new and expectant parents about the work PANDA does and how we can support them in this time of transition is so rewarding. Plus, I get to work alongside so many other incredible volunteers in the Community Champion program and am immensely grateful for these relationships.
What is your favourite activity to do with your family?
Being outdoors has always been something that made me feel good, so it's something I have continued to prioritise. Since our daughters moved out of home, we try to catch up regularly, and we love to meet up for coffee and take our dog Harvey to the beach together.
Finally, what was the last movie you went to and what would you rate it out of 5?
I can't even remember the last movie I watched, but I have recently watched the series Yellowstone which I'd rate as 5/5!
