News

 NRAMP - The National Register of Antipsychotic Medication in Pregnancy

Many women throughout Australia and around the world are prescribed antipsychotic medication to treat mental illness. However, there is very little information available about the potential effect of these medications on mother and baby during pregnancy and after delivery.

The National Register of Antipsychotic Medication in Pregnancy (NRAMP) is designed to address this gap in knowledge by collecting information about women who are taking antipsychotic medication and who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last twelve months. It is hoped that this information will ultimately help to improve the experience of pregnancy and birth for women with mental illness, and to contribute to better health and wellbeing for these women and their babies.

If you would like to register for access, please contact Jane Castles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or go to their website.

You can make a booking by clicking here or contact PANDA on 03 9841 3377.

As a part of the National Perinatal Depression Initiative beyondblue has been developing the new draft ‘Clinical practice guidelines for depression and anxiety – anxiety, bipolar disorder and puerperal psychosis – in the perinatal period.'  The Guidelines were released for consultation with the community in May 2010 and have now been submitted to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for finalisation by the end of 2010.

Copies of the Guidelines can be found at http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=6.1246

PANDA welcomes Booloobabe as a new sponsor of a fact sheet - Caring for someone with Postnatal Depression and PamperBoxes as sponsor of Practical strategies for feeling better.  Thank you for your support Booloo babe and PamperBoxes!!

PANDA is seeking sponsorship for each of the fact sheet titles.  This will help us to print and distribute the fact sheets across Australia as we promote the helpline.  Sponsorship is annual and will entitle the sponsor to their logo on the front page of the fact sheet.  Please contact PANDA for more information.  Click here to see all our fact sheet titles.

Click here to view our current Newsletter - PANDA's Winter Edition 85.

If you missed the SBS Insight program - The Hidden Story Behind Having a Baby you can view it on the SBS website.

To catch up on PANDA's happenings you can find issues of some of our past newsletters on our Newsletters page. There is also a signup form if you would like to receive future issues.

The Parent-Infant Research Institute is conducting a study to evaluate a new treatment program for women experiencing Antenatal Depression. This is an 8-session cognitive-behavioural therapy group program, facilitated by a psychologist. All participants will be linked with treating health professionals and provided a resource list of local support services. Half of the women participating will be offered the group program and half will be offered enhanced individual routine primary care. If you are pregnant and feel that you are struggling to cope or experiencing some depression, this program may be of benefit to you. For more information please visit our website or contact Charlene Schembri on 9496 4496.

Are you the male partner of a woman who has or has had postnatal depression (PND)?

I am a counsellor in Fairfield with a special interest in PND. I am doing a Master's thesis at LaTrobe University on the experience of male partners of women who have or have had PND. If you are the male partner of a woman who has or has had PND, and wish to talk about your experience, I am keen to talk to you (confidentiality guaranteed). Please contact me, Lisa Fettling, on 0407 943 938, or, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it