Host a PANDA Day for PANDA Week

Raising awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression and postnatal psychosis during PANDA Week

We know one of the main reasons many expecting and new parents affected by perinatal anxiety and depression and postnatal psychosis don’t reach out for help is because they don’t understand what is happening to them. Many don’t realise they are ill and therefore suffer for longer than they need to. Sometimes lives are even put at risk.

This is why Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Awareness (PANDA) Week (11 – 17 November) is so important! It’s critical that more people can understand when they are struggling and know what to do and where to go to seek help.

You can help us increase understanding in your community about these serious mental illnesses.

You can also raise funds to help PANDA in our crucial work supporting families across Australia affected by perinatal anxiety and depression and postnatal psychosis.

Your PANDA Day event

Your PANDA Day event can be big or small, fancy or humble. It can be at home, at a venue, in a public space or at work. Here are some ideas:

• Host a lunch, barbecue, dinner or banquet
• Organise a movie or trivia night
• Host a cocktail party
• Arrange a stall at a local market
• Host a morning tea or picnic
• Organise a morning tea or day of fun and games at work.

You can get together in other ways too – it’s up to you, so get creative!

Your workplace event

While you can choose to host your event almost anywhere, remember that hosting an event in your workplace is a great way to raise awareness with your colleagues and within your organisation.

We know that one in five expecting and new mums and one in tend dads will be affected by perinatal anxiety or depression. Think about your workplace and all the women and men who work there: consider how many of your colleagues might be impacted by these illnesses. These colleagues could benefit from learning more about perinatal anxiety and depression. For those who are struggling, simply starting a conversation can be their first step on the road towards feeling better.

Five easy steps to hosting your PANDA day event

1. Set the date: while we’d love you to host your PANDA day event during Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Awareness (PANDA) Week, you can hold your event at any time of the year.

2. Register your PANDA day event here

3. Invite guests:

Invite as many guests as your venue can handle, whether at home, in a restaurant or café, at the cinema, in the park or at work.

4. Use social media:

Facebook is a great way to promote and plan your PANDA day event. Set up an Event page, invite your guests and keep them updated in the lead up.

5. Fundraise:

In terms of raising funds at your event, you can charge an entry donation, pass around a collection plate or hold a raffle.

Most importantly, have fun! At PANDA we hear every day that parenting can be tough. But friendship, laughter and shared experience are a great first step in this unique journey.

PANDA also has a range of resources including brochures, factsheets and postcards that you may want to distribute at your event. Explore our digital toolkit.