Who’s Who in Perinatal Mental Health

As a consumer organisation committed to reducing the impact of perinatal anxiety and depression PANDA has two key roles.  The first is providing services, support and information; the second is raising awareness.  Central to our services is PANDA’s specialist National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline managing around 10,000 calls each year. 

Our Community Champions and Volunteers, who have experienced perinatal anxiety, depression or psychosis, help us raise awareness across the country. Using real faces and stories we gain extensive coverage in traditional and social media to spread our important message. We also reach out to new mum’s groups, community and health groups to raise awareness.

We have an important role educating health professionals. Using knowledge from our Helpline and from our hundreds of volunteers we advocate to government and health providers for better services and support across Australia.

COPE is a national, not for profit organisation dedicated to supporting women and their families to achieve strong and enduring mental health during pregnancy and the year following birth. 

This includes empowering women with timely, relevant information throughout pregnancy and early parenthood through the Ready to COPE Guide, informing and supporting the implementation of best practice through the development of the new Australian National Guideline and online training program, and the development of resources for health professionals and consumers. COPE is also focused on transforming current approaches to screening and referral through innovative digital screening platforms.   

Gidget Foundation Australia promotes emotional wellbeing for expectant and new parents and raises awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression amongst new mums and dads, their families, health providers and the wider community to ensure those in need receive timely, appropriate and supportive care. The Foundation works collaboratively to support vulnerable parents through its programs including: 

• Gidget Emotional Wellbeing Screening Program at hospitals
• Gidget House, providing free face-to-face psychological support (10 counselling sessions) for families experiencing emotional distress during pregnancy and early parenthood
• Start Talking, providing free video call psychological support (10 counselling sessions)
• Education and awareness programs for health professionals and the community
• Advocacy and active memberships of professional networks
• Research and contribution to mainstream and professional publications
• Development and distribution of resources

PIRI is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to tackling perinatal depression, anxiety and their consequences through research and translating evidence into practice.

PIRI has been engaged in perinatal mental health research and working with mothers, fathers and infants to successfully deliver national screening programs and treatment projects, public health initiatives and e-mental health services in close collaboration with key stakeholders.

PIRI has developed interventions using a range of delivery modes (individual, group, telephone, self-help, e-health) and provided training to health professionals including GPs, maternal and child health nurses and psychologists. PIRI is part of Austin Life Sciences and is affiliated with the University of Melbourne. PIRI has developed an international reputation in the identification and treatment of depression and anxiety for new parents and in early intervention.