PANDA created Perinatal Mental Health Week in 2005 to help the community and health professionals better understand perinatal mental health.
We are proud of the work PANDA's Community Volunteers, staff, and online community do to raise awareness.
Each year the community shares their stories to help achieve our vision of a society where perinatal mental health is valued and understood and where stigma and systemic barriers to seeking help no longer exist.
Hold The Parent
“Sometimes being held is simply having someone stay beside you, listen and remind you that needing support does not define your ability to love and care for your child.”
Every parent deserves to feel supported and cared for during pregnancy and early parenthood. That's the idea behind Hold The Parent, the theme for National Perinatal Mental Health Week 2026.
We heard from parents who reached out for help with their mental health but felt dismissed, not believed, or left to cope on their own. Hold The Parent is about recognising that parents need support too. It's a reminder that we all have a role to play in helping parents through the challenges that can come with pregnancy and early parenthood.
This Perinatal Mental Health Week, we're encouraging friends, family, healthcare providers and communities to think about how they can support the parents in their lives. Whether it's helping with practical tasks, checking in regularly, offering encouragement, or simply listening without judgement, small actions can make a big difference. There are many ways to Hold The Parent and we invite you to learn more.
The 2026 theme for the national Perinatal Mental Health Week campaign, Hold The Parent, was developed by PANDA in consultation with our lived experience community and the Gidget Foundation.
“To feel ‘held’ as a parent means feeling safe enough to be honest without being judged. It means being able to say, ‘I’m struggling,’ without worrying that someone will think I am a bad parent. I want to feel listened to, respected and supported as a whole person, not assessed only by my hardest moments. ”
You can also support the National Perinatal Mental Health Week campaign by visiting pmhweek.org.au.
Get involved
Order free printed resources for your clinic or workplace
Explore a range of factsheets, posters, flyers and promotional materials available for download and print.
Resources are available for health professionals, community groups and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
To ensure delivery in time for Perinatal Mental Health Week (before Sunday 22nd November), we recommend ordering by:
Tuesday 10th November for metropolitan and regional deliveries
Friday 30th October for most rural and remote deliveries
Get involved
Spread the word on social media
Tell the world you're someone who cares about perinatal mental health. Share your own story, or posts from PANDA's social media accounts.
Facebook @PANDANational
Instagram @PANDANational
#PMHWEEK
Get involved
Fundraise for PANDA
You can do all sorts of creative things to help raise funds for PANDA during Perinatal Mental Health Week. Get all the info you need to help you run a great fundraiser.
Get involved
Make a donation
Your donation helps PANDA raise awareness about perinatal mental health, and allows us to reach more families in need of support in the perinatal period.
“Often when a new baby is born, everyone wants to come visit so they can cuddle the baby, but actually what’s needed is all the additional tasks taken away so that the parents can bond with their babies. ”
Stories
PANDA National Helpline
Find someone to talk to, 7 days a week
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 start 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).