Our Services

In responding to continually increasing community needs PANDA has evolved into a valuable and vital service, funded by Governments and well utilised by the wider community and health professionals. PANDA's services include:

Helpline

PANDA's telephone information, support and referral service is staffed by trained volunteers, professional counsellors and supervising staff. In keeping with PANDA's Mutual Support Self Help principles most of these volunteers on the helpline have experienced perinatal depression and anxiety.

On average PANDA receives and makes over 500 calls through the Helpline per month. PANDA is happy to receive calls from anyone who is concerned about how they or someone else if coping during pregnancy or after having a baby. Many partners ring the helpline as well as extended family members and friends.

The desired outcome for each caller who makes contact with PANDA is to have been supported, to have gained an increased understanding of what might be happening to them and how they might seek ongoing services and supports in their local areas. PANDA maintains a resource and referral information database about local services throughout Australia as well as the Victorian online database. Services listed include PND support groups and playgroups, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors and support services. These professionals and support services have a specific interest and expertise in working with families experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety. Sometimes this may involve PANDA staff or volunteers making contact with these services on behalf of the woman due to her degree of illness.