Mental Health Checklists
For expecting and new parents
Information and resources for health professionals and clients. You are encouraged to distribute this information to clients and through your networks. You can download PDFs of most resources to print, or order print copies from PANDA.
You don’t need to be a mental health expert to support a client experiencing mental distress.
With these six approaches and some key knowledge, you can make a life-changing difference.
A ten minute education video on emotional wellbeing and mental health for expecting and new parents, for use in antenatal and postnatal education settings. Includes real life stories from three diverse families, information on treatment options, and where to seek help, including support available through the PANDA Helpline. Watch it here.
PANDA offers an ever-growing range of resources for health professionals working with families at risk of perinatal mental health issues. Our print resources can be ordered free here. Scroll down this page to find direct links to the digital versions of the factsheets listed in this catalogue. Download the catalogue here.
Despite screening, most women who experience perinatal mental illness are not identified by care providers. We explain diverse barriers to disclosure, and provide tips including language that can encourage disclosure.
Download pdf.
Even after a health professional has identified an issue and offered referrals, many people still don’t get the support they need. How does this happen, and what can you do to help?
Download pdf.
These are support options commonly offered to callers on the PANDA National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline. This list is not exhaustive, but may help increase the choices you offer clients. Call PANDA to find services in your area.
Download pdf.
If you’re a new parent or expecting a baby, and you’re worried about how you’re feeling, talking to your doctor can be a good place to start. Here we provide tips on finding a doctor, sharing your concerns and what to expect from a consultation.
Download pdf.
Information that can help expecting and new parents understand what might be happening to them. Download pdf.
Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood is an exciting time that also brings many new challenges and responsibilities. It is now recognised that around 1 in 20 men experience depression during pregnancy and up to 1 in 10 new dads struggle with depression following the birth of their baby. Download pdf.
Many people find that pregnancy or having a baby is more challenging than they anticipated – this is a common experience of re-adjustment. For some however, the challenges become overwhelming. When this occurs, it is important to seek help. There are a range of health and community services that can assist you and there are many things that can be done, on a personal level, to reduce stress. Download pdf.
Up to 1 in 10 women and 1 in 20 men struggle with antenatal depression and more than 1 in 7 new mums and up to 1 in 10 new dads experience postnatal depression each year in Australia. Anxiety is just as common and many parents experience anxiety and depression at the same time. Download pdf.
Planning and having a baby is a time of adjustment and change. LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer) families are like any other when it comes to starting a family, sometimes the community, family and friends, may not understand the journey undertaken in bringing a baby into the world. While there is an expectation of joy, sometimes these feelings can be overridden with stress, difficulties in adjusting to a new way of life, sleep-deprivation, anxiety and depression.
Download pdf.
A range of physical, psychological and external factors can contribute to the development of perinatal anxiety and depression. Recovery depends on addressing all of these factors and often accessing professional help and support.
Download pdf.
Having a baby is life-changing. It can deliver a lot of love, joy and fulfilment but it can also create demands and responsibilities that feel relentless, difficult and scary. Sometimes, parents have difficulty adjusting to the many physical, emotional, psychological and social challenges of parenting.
Download pdf.
Our fact sheet Anxiety & Depression In Pregnancy & Early Parenthood can be downloaded as PDFs translated into the following languages:
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