It can feel overwhelming when people say to reach out for support when you need help in coping with the transition to parenthood. There are bound to be a range of various experiences throughout the transition that you may need support through including situations, thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
It is great to have options such as:
- Reach out to a friend or family member
- Speak to your GP
- Speak to your midwife throughout prenatal and postnatal care
- Access community health drop-in clinics in your local area
In addition to these contact points above, below you will find some information about hotlines that can provide a safe and confidential place for you to contact and speak to someone about difficulties you are experiencing or to provide information regarding questions you might have. The information has been sought through research as well as resources provided on the Centre of Perinatal Excellence website (www.cope.org.au). This website has an extensive list of various supports including mental health, loss, parenting, relationships, adoption and surrogacy, family violence and accessing treatment.
Support for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia
1300 726 306
Monday to Saturday; 9am - 7:30pm
www.panda.org.au
@pandanational
This hotline provides families with confidential support throughout the adjustment to parenthood between pregnancy and the first 12 months of the baby’s life. Counsellors can provide a space to talk about your thoughts, feelings and experiences as well as provide information and resources to help through these huge transitions in your life. You do not need to be in a crisis point to access support, they are there to support all difficulties and questions, big and small. On the website, there are also articles, links and information that you can access.
It is noted that PANDA is not a crisis service, and if you need immediate assistance please call 000 or Lifeline 13 11 24 (24/7).
Centre for Perinatal Psychology
www.centreforperinatalpsychology.com.au
@centre_for_perinatal_psych
The aim of the Centre for Perinatal Psychology is to strengthen relationships and facilitate joyful and confident parenting during the perinatal period. It is home to a national group of psychologists who practice within the perinatal period. On the website, you can find a range of resources relating to planning, pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. There is information, support links and the ability to search for registered clinicians in your area that have been selected for their extensive knowledge and skills in working with perinatal issues.
It is noted that the Centre for Perinatal Psychology is not a crisis service, and if you need immediate assistance please call 000 or Lifeline 13 11 24 (24/7)
Centre of Perinatal Excellence
COPE is a not-for-profit organisation that ais to reduce the impact of emotional and mental health problems in the pre and postnatal periods. They provide information and resources for the planning, pregnancy and postpartum periods. They also provide information about parenting and a directory to find assistance from professionals within perinatal mental health.
Parentline
1300 30 1300
Phone lines open 7 days; 8am - 10pm
Webchat open 7 days; 8am - 9pm
www.parentline.com.au
QLD & NT: @parentlineqldnt
NSW: @parent_line_nsw
This is a free counselling and support line for parents and carers in QLD and NT. There are resources available on their website in the categories of pregnancy and babies (0-3), Preschoolers (3-5), kids (5-8) and older kids (9+).
For When Helpline
1300 24 23 22
Monday to Friday; 9am-4:30pm
www.forwhenhelpline.org.au
@forwhenhelpline
ForWhen provides expecting and new parents including mums, dads and guardians a supportive mental health navigation service throughout the perinatal period. From conception through to when baby is 12 months old. Their service aims to provide mental health support you need, as early as possible. They are able to access information about local services in your state or territory to assist with your individualised needs.
The following information was taken from their website:
- Call the helpline number
- Speak to a local specialist that will listen to your needs and help you understand how you’re feeling
- The local specialist will help connect you with a local support service to help your mental health
SMS4Dads
This is a service that Dads can join up to from 12 weeks of pregnancy through to 12 months after birth. Once registered they will receive 3 texts a week to help them make the transition to fatherhood. Texts can be about encouragement, developmental milestones, mental health, practical ways to support their partners and general parenting tips. There is also a mood tracker to check in on emotional health and if they don’t have someone to talk to, a health professional can get in touch to offer some support.
Support for grief and loss from miscarriage, stillbirth and death in infancy
Sands
1300 072 637
www.sands.org.au
@sandsaustralia
This is a 24/7 assistance line that supports families through miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death through peer to peer support services. These trained peers have a personal understanding of the grief journey having experienced it themselves. There is also support group meetings and access to resources on their website.
Red Nose - Guiding Light
1300 308 307
www.rednose.org.au
@rednoseaustralia
This is a 24/7 support line for grieving parents who have experienced loss during pregnancy, birth, infancy or childhood, no matter what the cause.
Pink Elephants
www.pinkelephants.org.au
@pinkelephantssupport
This organisation supports women who have experienced early pregnancy loss, and also those experiencing a pregnancy, birth and motherhood after the loss of a child. Their mission is to normalise early pregnancy loss worldwide through evidence, empathy and connection. Services that are available include personalised phone calls and/or live online chats with a peer support worker, online support groups, community groups and resources.
General Parenting Support
Red Nose
www.rednose.org.au
@rednoseaustralia
Via their website, you can access information and advice around safe sleeping practices.
Parentline
1300 30 1300
Phone lines open 7 days; 8am - 10pm
Webchat open 7 days; 8am - 9pm
www.parentline.com.au
QLD & NT: @parentlineqldnt
NSW: @parent_line_nsw
This is a free counselling and support line for parents and carers in QLD and NT. There are resources available on their website in the categories of pregnancy and babies (0-3), Preschoolers (3-5), kids (5-8) and older kids (9+).
Emergency Assistance
000
If you or someone that you care about is in crisis and you decide that immediate help is required to ensure their safety, call triple zero (000) or go to your local hospital emergency department.
Lifeline
13 11 24
www.lifeline.org.au
@lifelineaustralia
This provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week hotlines to access crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support. There is also online chat and a text messaging service.
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
This provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide. They also offer online chat and video chat.