PANDA is a free national telephone counselling service delivered by professional counsellors and dedicated peer support practitioners with a lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges. When you call, your call will be answered by a counsellor, or you may be placed on hold during peak times until a counsellor is available. While you are on hold, you will hear more about our service and the ways PANDA can help.
In every call you have with PANDA, we listen to your story. Everyone’s parenthood journey is unique, and we want to know about you and your experience.
We provide you with a reassuring, confidential space for you to talk openly and honestly about your thoughts, feelings and experiences around pregnancy and parenthood. Together, we’ll explore what supports you currently have in place and whether you’d benefit from any others.
PANDA can help find you the support you need. You and your PANDA counsellor will develop a care plan together including referrals, ideas and strategies that will help support you.
“I spoke with a PANDA counsellor and felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. It was the first step on my road to recovery.”
“I was nervous about calling the helpline. I wondered if what I was struggling with was really that bad and I would hate to take resources away from other women who really need it. When I expressed this to the counsellor, she told me that she was so glad that I did call and that I wasn't being a nuisance at all. That was a huge relief.”
What happens when I call PANDA?
When you call the PANDA helpline, you may hear a recording talking about PANDA services. During busy periods, you may remain on hold until a counsellor is available. We encourage you to stay on the line to hold your place in the queue.
When you speak to one of counsellors, we'll ask you for some basic contact details and ask a few questions about what prompted you to call the Helpline. We’ll also ask about your own and your baby’s safety and wellbeing.
While you can choose to remain anonymous, most of our callers prefer to share their contact details, especially if we’re helping you to find community-based supports in your area.
Our counsellors will encourage you to tell us your story. We want to understand what you are concerned about and how it is affecting you and your family. We want to know how we can help you.
It’s important to know that our counsellors are respectful and compassionate towards all our callers, whatever their background, nationality, beliefs or sexuality.
PANDA’s Helpline service is a safe and secure place to disclose personal details.
Common questions about the PANDA Helpline
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Why would I call PANDA?
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Is it free to call the PANDA Helpline?
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Do I need a referral or diagnosis to call PANDA?
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Does PANDA offer follow up calls?
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Does PANDA offer interpreters?
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Are calls to PANDA confidential?
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When is the Helpline available?
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What if I’m unable to get my children looked after while I call the Helpline?
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What support can I access outside of Helpline open hours?
Calling the PANDA Helpline
Listen to a call example where a new mum calls the Helpline and speaks to a PANDA peer practitioner.
Calling the PANDA Helpline - Get support for a loved one
Listen to a call example where a concerned support person calls about their friend.
Articles
Helpful information
Stories
Stories from parents who have called the Helpline
“It was so comforting to hear a warm, empathetic voice on the other end. I was feeling incredibly vulnerable, and just hearing someone acknowledge my feelings made a huge difference.”
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 challenges. Our mental health checklist can help you to see if what you’re experiencing or observing in a loved one could be reason to seek help.