PANDA Professional Development Workshops
Sharing our learning with other professionals.
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Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Education: Activities, resources & ideas
A workshop and tool kit for MCH nurses, education midwives, birth educators, playgroup facilitators and everyone involved in group-based support and education for expecting and new parents.
Groups – from birth education classes to new parent groups and playgroups – can be a great opportunity for expecting and new parents to learn critical information, make new connections and build their “village”. Yet for the 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men who experience perinatal (antenatal and/or postnatal) anxiety and depression, groups can actually increase their sense of isolation, unless space is provided for exploration of emotional wellbeing and mental health issues, the safe sharing of struggles and ideas for support.
“I stopped going to mothers’ group. These babies were giggling or sleeping through the night or playing happily on the mat. These mothers were competent, joyous and carefree. I didn’t belong.” – Lisa, PANDA volunteer
PANDA has run structured emotional wellbeing education sessions in group settings for many years, and we are now offering health and family support professionals access to our education kit and training in our trauma-informed approach.
Learn more about this workshop.
Wednesday 18 September 2019 | 9am to 1pm Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Skills and Education Centre, 250-290 Spring St, East Melbourne (adjacent to Parliament Station)$120 or $50 for students
What do we cover?
Based on experiences and data from the National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline and engagement with consumers, families and health services across the country, these perinatal practice wisdom workshops aim to increase health professional knowledge and confidence in supporting the emotional and mental health needs of expecting and new parents. Previous workshop topics have included family violence, perinatal anxiety, perinatal distress in fathers and non-birth mothers, working with refugees, motherhood as a grief and loss experience, and the needs of families affected by issues including sexual assault, birth trauma, IVF, premature birth, infant illness and disability. PANDA workshops are run at various central venues around the inner suburbs of Melbourne. Agencies in other states can request PANDA training or presentations.
The topic of our last workshop was anxiety, perfectionism and OCD in the perinatal period.
What to expect
PANDA workshops bring together the latest research, learnings from the National Helpline (data, case studies and practice tips), professionals working in the relevant fields, and real life stories shared by parents. Workshops offer participants both knowledge and skills; their relevance and practical approach are consistently reflected in participant feedback:
Relevant, current and delivered well. Case studies are a great way to gain increased awareness, understanding and insight. - MCH Nurse
Ideas and suggestions that I can take back to the unit to improve our practice. - Maternity Unit Manager
Excellent combination of facts and insights, helpful interventions and outcomes. Very practical info that I will be able to adapt info informing my practice to better respond to mothers’ needs. – Psychologist
Who attends PANDA workshops?
Workshops are relevant to all professionals and volunteers working with expecting and new parents and families. Participants include midwives and birth educators, maternal and child health nurses, psychologists and counsellors, social workers, GPs, allied health and early childhood professionals. Workshops are well priced and offer a significant student discount, which is also available to volunteers who are supporting families in the perinatal period.
For more information contact our Community and Training Programs Coordinator Sarah Marlowe at PANDA's national office on (03) 9926 9032 or sarah.marlowe@panda.org.au
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