Alison’s story reminds us how important it is to start a conversation with all expecting mums.

Immediately after the birth of her first child, Alison found herself becoming overwhelmed and scared by the reality of being a new mum. She recalls the confusion she had when she was faced with unexpected emotions.

“You hear the stories of how everybody has instant love for their child and I was in the hospital thinking,  I don’t feel anything, I don’t feel what I think I should be feeling.” Alison spent six days in hospital, where the nurses brushed off her feelings as the ‘baby blues.’

When she arrived home her emotions snowballed further. “I was in tears most of the time, I couldn’t eat, I couldn't sleep. I thought, this is not what motherhood is meant to be like. The media tells you it’s supposed to be all sunshine and love, but I felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I was so scared that I would never feel like myself again.”

Two weeks after Alison and her bub arrived home the CaFHS nurse (Child and Family Health Services) came to the house for her routine visit. 

After Alison completed the Edinburgh Scale (a test for postnatal depression), the nurse encouraged her to speak to her GP.

Unaware of how common postnatal depression and anxiety is for new mums, Alison felt nervous talking to the GP about what she was feeling. So she began searching online for anonymous support and came across PANDA.

“I remember ringing PANDA not knowing where to start, but immediately found so much comfort in talking to someone who understood what I was going through. It was lifesaving having someone to chat to who could tell me what I was feeling was common.”

Seven months ago Alison gave birth to her second son and became aware that she was experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety again. But in recognising the symptoms she reached out for help quickly and called PANDA.

In seeking support as soon as possible, Alison gave herself the very best chance of recovering before her symptoms got any worse. In fact, she began to feel like herself again after two weeks.

PANDA Community Champions help us raise awareness across the country. Whether through sharing their story, sharing resources or running events. Find out how you can become a Community Champion >

Community Champion Israel Smith shares his experience with postnatal depression to help raise awareness around perinatal anxiety and depression in men during Father’s Day. Watch the video here >

Our daily contact with families affected by perinatal anxiety and depression has given us extraordinary insight into this complex illness that is experienced by 100,000 Australian families every year. This knowledge has allowed us to shape our How Is Dad Going website, making it more accessible and relevant for new and expecting dads struggling with their mental health or supporting a partner who may be struggling.

Here are a few pages you may like to bookmark or share with family or friends:

Information and support for new dads >
Other dads share their experience > 
Caring for your partner >

Kassey Dickie developed postnatal depression after the birth of her son in 2013. “I didn’t really know what was going on, just that I was struggling,” she says. “One day everything just came to a head, I was in dire straits, just feeling really really bad, so I called PANDA. That first phone call helped, and from there I got a regular phone call every week. Those counselling services over the phone, it just made such a difference to my capacity to deal with what I was experiencing.”

A couple of years later Kassey was on a fundraising website and saw PANDA listed there. She remembered the support she had received and right then and there she signed up as a regular giver. Every month her donation automatically comes to PANDA. 

This helps us plan ahead and make sure our information, support and resources reach the people most in need of them.

For Kassey, being able to set the amount and transfer it automatically made sense. “I’m not in a position to give a large amount all at once, so I found that by having a regular, modest monthly donation I was able to make, over time, as much of a donation as I possibly can without it having an impact on my day to day living. I wouldn’t want anyone else who was struggling to not have access to the kind of support I had, so I’m, very pleased to help.”     

Kassey, your generosity really is making a difference. Thank you.