Dear Friend, Did you know one of the key reasons many expecting and new parents struggling with perinatal anxiety or depression don’t seek help is because they don’t know what’s happening to them? Even though it’s an illness that affects up to 1 in 5 expecting or new mums and 1 in 10 dads, many people still don’t know its signs and symptoms. Many still don’t know that with the right support you can recover. And many still don’t know where to seek help. This is why PANDA strives to raise awareness about this serious and common illness. It’s absolutely critical that more people know about perinatal anxiety and depression so mums and dads can seek help and recover more quickly. You can help! PANDA’s Lunch Out Loud campaign starts this week and I‘d like to encourage you to host an event to raise awareness and also funds to support PANDA’s important work. Despite the name, it doesn’t have to be a lunch. By all means have a meal, whether a lunch, a picnic, a BBQ, a formal dinner or a large scale banquet. But you can get together in other ways too – the main thing is to have somewhere to talk ‘Out Loud’ and have open and honest conversations about the joys and challenges of parenthood. Simply starting these conversations can make a huge difference to someone who is suffering and struggling to understand what’s happening to them. Your Lunch Out Loud event can also raise funds to help PANDA in our important work. Any funds you and your guests raise will help expecting and new mums and dads to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression and get on with the important business of enjoying their new family! I really hope you will think about stepping up to run a Lunch Out Loud event. Make it as simple or complex as you like! Getting set up is easy! You can host your Lunch Out Loud event anytime in October or November during the lead up to Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Awareness Week (12 – 18 November). 1. Please visit PANDA’s website to register your event and create your own special Lunch Out Loud event page. 2. Invite your guests using our special Lunch Out Loud invitation. You can download it, fill it out electronically and email it to your guests. 3. Send your event page link to your invited guests. They can donate to your event via this form. When you host your event, talk ‘Out Loud’ about the joys and challenges of parenthood. And make sure you have fun!
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