PANDA Programs

National Helpline

Providing the only National Helpline dedicated to perinatal mental health, PANDA is driven by the lived experience of people affected by perinatal anxiety and depression. PANDA responds to the needs of families across Australia who are expecting a baby or in the first year after the baby’s birth, from major cities to rural and remote areas. Helpline peer support workers and professional counselling staff offer support, information, counselling and referral to expecting and new mothers and fathers and their families and friends. Our team also provides secondary consultation to health professionals.

Intensive Care Coordination Program (Victoria and Adelaide)

Through the Intensive Care Coordination Program we provide care coordination and advocacy for expecting and new parents up to one year after the birth of their baby through working with local health professionals and services in Victoria and Adelaide. This includes providing ongoing counselling and support for expecting and new parents with severe perinatal mental illnesses.

The Intensive Care Coordination Program is only available across Victoria and within the Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN) catchment.

Community Education Program (Victoria)

Through our Community Education Program, trained volunteers share their own stories and run educational activities to raise awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression in new parent groups, playgroups and other community settings. The program aims to break down stigma, encourage expecting and new parents to open up about the challenges of new parenthood, and encourage those who may be struggling to reach out for support.

Health Professionals Training (Victoria)

Health professionals have a key role in addressing the emotional and mental wellbeing of expecting and new parents. However, amongst those who call the PANDA National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline, few have disclosed their concerns to their GP, midwife or MCH nurse. The reasons are complex, but include a lack of confidence and knowledge amongst many health professionals of how best to encourage such disclosures in the limited time they often have with patients and clients. PANDA training for health professionals aims to address these obstacles, incorporating evidence base, learnings from the National Helpline, and the lived experience of our volunteers – who often accompany our staff to share their own story as part of training presentations.
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Community Champions Program

PANDA’s Community Champions program is a national network of volunteers who champion PANDA’s mission to support families in a positive transition to early parenthood. Along with raising community awareness about perinatal anxiety and depression, our Community Champions also promote PANDA’s specialist perinatal services and support PANDA’s community fundraising activities.

Supported Playgroups

PANDA’s Guide to Groups provides extensive provides extensive information and resources for those wishing to establish a group program that meets the needs of parents at risk of/or experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression.