Emotional and mental wellbeing for LGBTIQA+ parents
Expecting a baby or becoming a parent is a huge life change, full of excitement and challenges. Mental health distress including anxiety and depression is common and affect 1 in 5 birth parents and 1 in 10 non-birth parents.
With so much change happening, parenthood can feel confusing. Sometimes it’s tricky to recognise if you need more support.
“It’s the hardest job in the world and it does take adjustment. Don’t feel ashamed or blame yourself for how you feel. Don’t try to do it alone. Seek out services, even just a call to a counsellor.”
Perinatal mental health distress can occur any time - from planning to conception, and throughout the postnatal period.
Symptoms are diverse; they can be mild, moderate or severe, and can change quickly. The most common symptoms people experience are anxiety and depression.
Perinatal mental health concerns are common and treatable. They can happen to anyone. The sooner you can get the right support for yourself and your family, the more likely you are to experience a quick recovery.
Here you can find information for birth and non-birth parents to better understand what you are feeling, and where you can find help.
“My partner returned to work, and I was left at home on my own, trying to heal physically and having to look after this little baby - even though I had no idea what to do. It all came crashing down and I realised I was nowhere near being okay. I felt really flat and had this incredible sense of isolation.”
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression in the perinatal period
Support
Finding the right support
Safe, inclusive care
Finding safe, inclusive care for LGBTIQA+ parents
All expecting and new parents deserve inclusive, appropriate support for their wellbeing.
Read the article for more information about where you can find safe, inclusive care.
Mental health checklist
How are you going?
Everyone’s experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and challenges.
Complete our online mental health checklist to see if what you’re experiencing or observing in a loved one could be a reason to seek help.
Stories
Stories from other LGBTIQA+ families
Survive and Thrive podcast
Supporting your partner by taking care of yourself
When you're not the one carrying the baby, it can be easy to forget that you’re also going through all the ups and downs of new parenthood.
And when you’re supporting your partner through a perinatal mental health crisis it’s easy to let your own mental health take a back seat.
Alex and Lauren Fisher share how they navigated this time, how Alex helped Lauren and in turn got help herself.
Articles
More information for LGBTIQA+ parents
Articles
Information for partners and non-birth parents
PANDA CHATBOT
Chat to Dot
Meet Dot. They’re here to support you to explore your mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy and as a new parent.
PANDA National Helpline
Find someone to talk to, Monday to Saturday.
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 starting 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).