Two extremely good organisations here to help parents - new parents, experienced parents, grandparents even.. yet not a lot of people know about these two services available to them.
Let’s start with PANDA
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia is an organisation to help the mental health of families and parents during pregnancy and parenthood particularly in the first year.
PANDA is Australia’s only Free National Helpline for individuals and their families (and your support person if you have one) providing them with a safe and confidential space to receive counselling and informational help if you feel you are experiencing challenging perinatal mental health issues.
The helpline - 1300 726 306 is available Monday to Saturday; including public holidays from 9am – 7:30pm AEST and is ran by highly trained and experienced counsellors and/or volunteers.
So what happens when you call Panda? When you phone, you will be answered by a professional counsellor who will listen and allow you to talk openly and honestly about your thoughts, feelings and experiences around pregnancy and parenthood. From there they’ll explore what support you currently have in place and whether you’d benefit from any others and if needed you both will develop a care plan together including referrals, ideas and strategies that will help support you moving forward.
You do not need any referral or diagnosis to contact Panda.
Besides the amazing support they offer over the phone, they do offer a lot of resources via their website – www.panda.org.au however it is recommended if you or anyone you know are struggling, please give them a call for the best care to help you to feel better.
Now onto Tresillian
Tresillian is a not-for-profit Early Parenting Support organisation that offers professional advice, education and guidance to families with a baby, toddler or pre-school children via in-person day services, residential (overnight stays) services across New South Wales, Victoria and ACT of Australia, virtual residential parenting service, mobile Tresillian 2u van and via telephone.
The telephone Parent’s Help Line service (1300 272 736 Available 7 days a week, 7am-11pm) and day services are a free service and the residential admissions service is covered by Medicare &/or private health fund.
Tresillian supports parents with;
- Settling baby & sleep difficulties
- Breastfeeding & bottle-feeding
- Introducing solids
- Multiple babies
- Understanding baby’s cues
- Toddler Behaviour
- Parental emotional & psychological well-being (ie stress, anxiety)
There are two methods to gain access to Tresillian’s day/residential service and they are via
A referral from your GP or Child and Family Health Nurse or you are able to Self-Refer by filling out an online form
I hope these two organisations can make you or someone you know feel a little less isolated in times of need and please know, you/they are doing an amazing job and it is completely normal and OK to feel these things!
There is help and light at the end of the tunnel when those dark moments come. Please reach out!