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  • About WayAhead
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        • At WayAhead, we work every day to educate people throughout New South Wales on mental health and wellbeing and link them to services and resources that improve their mental health.
          Our vision is for a society that understands, values and actively supports the best possible mental health and wellbeing.
        • How we work for better mental health

          We work towards better mental health and wellbeing through:

          • The co-ordination of mental health promotion activities such as Mental Health Month NSW, WayAhead Workplaces, Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week and Stress Less Tips
          • Free anxiety support groups throughout NSW
          • The provision of mental health information – the WayAhead Directory, mental health factsheets
          • Education seminars such as or Understanding Anxiety Forums and Professional Development Workshops – for people living with a mental health condition, the public and health care professionals
          • Small Steps workshops for parents and school teachers to raise awareness and improve recognition of anxiety disorders in children.
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Perinatal Mental Health Awareness

Perinatal Mental Health Awareness

Are you 1 in 5?

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Campaign

What is Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Week?

PNDA stands for Perinatal Depression and Anxiety – but this year we’re expanding our definition to include a more diverse experience of mental health

Perinatal Mental Health Awareness Week is an important opportunity to raise awareness about perinatal mental health issues in your local community. Up to 1 in 5 new and expectant parents experience some form of perinatal mental health issues, but lack of awareness means that many don’t get the support they need.

PNDA Awareness week is a time to increase community knowledge about mental health during the perinatal period and eliminate the stigma so that those affected can seek appropriate help and support.

WayAhead, previously known as the Mental Health Association NSW, is encouraging community organisations and individuals across NSW to get involved in PNDA Awareness Week.


 When is it?

Perinatal Mental Health (PNDA) Week is held in the second week of November and is a great opportunity to raise awareness about perinatal mental health issues in your local community.

Together we can raise awareness about depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues experienced during the perinatal period. Raising awareness helps those affected and those who care about them to seek help.


The campaign

Our theme is Your baby is one in a million, are you 1 in 5? This theme was chosen as it highlights that perinatal mental health issues are more common than we think – around 1 in 5 new and expectant birth parents, and up to 1 in 10 non-birth parents experience problematic symptoms of perinatal anxiety and/or depression.

If you could be experiencing this, it’s important to know that you’re not alone – chances are another parent you know has been through it – and there is support. In fact, with the right support, people who experience PNDA are responsive, sensitive caregivers who can give their baby everything they need.


Support PNDA Awareness Week 2021

WayAhead’s exceptionally popular information pamphlet is being reprinted this year.  To order your resources, please complete this form

Early support is key to successfully overcoming PNDA, but many new and expectant caregivers don't know what to look out for. PNDA Awareness Week is an opportunity to bring greater awareness to this important issue. You can boost the campaign by sharing information on social media, downloading resources, and including the campaign image in your email signature.

See all resources to download

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Events

We encourage members of the community to put on events to raise awareness for perinatal depression and anxiety.

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Sources

Information regarding statistical prevalence of PNDA:
Loughnan, S. A., Newby, J. M., Haskelberg, H., Mahoney, A., Kladnitski, N., Smith, J., ... & Andrews, G. (2018). Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) for perinatal anxiety and depression versus treatment as usual: study protocol for two randomised controlled trials. Trials, 19(1), 56.

The ”Test” is based on the 3-Question Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale:
Boyce, P., Stubbs, J., & Todd, A. (1993). The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale: validation for an Australian sample. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 27(3), 472-476.

Kabir, K., Sheeder, J., & Kelly, L. S. (2008). Identifying postpartum depression: are 3 questions as good as 10?. Pediatrics, 122(3), e696-e702.

Matthey, S., Barnett, B., Kavanagh, D. J., & Howie, P. (2001). Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for men, and comparison of item endorsement with their partners. Journal of affective disorders, 64(2-3), 175-184.

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Check out our stress less tips here

What is PNDA?

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WayAhead is supported by the NSW Government

WayAhead is an ACNC registered
Australian Charity and is QIP accredited.

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Ask for Support

Friends, family, even online communities can be a good source of support with things like advice, babysitting and even home-cooked meals when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Offer Support

Parents might not want to ask for help so making specific offers can be useful, like doing laundry, cooking a meal or minding the baby while they sleep.

Chat with Adults

Joining a parents group, talking on the phone or inviting friends over – even if the house is a mess – is a great way to fight isolation and stay connected.

Talk to your GP

Feeling a range of emotions is normal, but if something doesn’t feel right, speaking to a health professional is a good idea. It’s important to trust yourself and there’s no shame in asking for help.

Feed your Soul

Favourite comfort foods or meals cooked by friends can be a great way to relax and recharge.

Celebrate the Wins

There’s a lot of pressure on parents to not get things wrong so it’s important to recognise even the smallest positives too, even if it’s a bit more sleep for you or the baby.

Have a Laugh

Parenting can be stressful but some moments can also be very funny. Our brains are wired to respond to laughter and smiles, generating feel good chemicals, which can also help increase the bond with your baby and with others.

Get Moving

Going for a walk or to a parents and infants activity group is a good way to get outside and get active. Many community centres run a range of activities for low or no charge.

Take Time for Yourself

It’s important to take time to follow your passions and interests, whether it’s reading a book, listening to music or even spending five minutes on an old hobby.

Reach Out

Parenting can be isolating so keep in touch, especially if it feels like they have disappeared. Phone calls and casual meet ups wherever is convenient for them can be great.

Encourage Help Seeking

Keep an eye out to see if they seem overwhelmed or down and offer to go with them to see their doctor or research services in their area, if they need.

Share a Meal

Find out what they like to eat and offer to prepare it. They might not have had the time or energy to cook and enjoy meals in a while.

Celebrate the Wins

Take time to point out all the good things that they are doing, not just for their baby but also for themselves, as they might not notice it or realise it.

Share a Laugh

Find out what makes them laugh and then do it, like sharing funny things on the internet, telling hilarious anecdotes or dancing together.

Invite them to get moving

Ask to meet you (e.g. in a park) and offer to push the stroller or invite them to a gentle exercise class. Being active is easier with friends to share it with.

Give them Time to Themselves

Support to have some down time could be really useful. Offers of babysitting, even an hour or two for some time to do their own thing, could be great.

 

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