PND Awareness Week - Two leaders in perinatal excellence open their doors to new mums

In order to return to work after having a baby mums need to feel they have access to the resources and support that enable them to successfully make the transition to being a working parent. Easy said than done right? Well, yes and no. There will always be challenges during the transitional stage but just how difficult will depend on a number of factors including mental and physical state, financial situation, partner and family support, employer support and career support.

With 1 in 7 women experiencing anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy or within the first year of baby's life sometimes a specialist perinatal health professional is also needed. Post Natal Depression Awareness week highlights just how common it is for mums to be in need of extra support.

Two organisations Mums@Work endorse are The Gidget Foundation and COPE (The Centre Of Perinatal Excellence).

The Gidget Foundation launched Gidget House in February 2014. Gidget House provides integrated care and support services to public and private patients. It provides specialised psychological services for mothers who have a diagnosis of, or who are at risk of developing, a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, and are pregnant or have a baby up to 12 months of age. Partners are also able to access specialised services.

This month COPE  (The Centre Of Perinatal Excellence) was launched spearheaded by Dr. Nicole Highet (former Deputy CEO of beyond blue). COPE is a not-for-profit organisation devoted to reducing the impacts of emotional and mental health problems in the pre and postnatal periods. COPE addresses the identified issues that we know are currently preventing people from accessing timely and effective, information and care via a number of national programs including:

• Aboriginal Mapping Project
• Research on Understanding the Emotional Journey of Having a Baby
• Report on economic analysis of costs incurred for not treating perinatal depression and anxiety
• Deploying the latest digital technology to make screening more efficient, effective and importantly, obtain valuable outcome data to inform service provision, policy and practice.
• Creating a National Perinatal Workplace Program

Post Natal Depression Awareness Week - What's on?

Bun in the Oven

The Gidget Foundation has launched a clever fundraising initiative to raise awareness and much needed funds for perinatal anxiety and depression through their 'Bun in the Oven' event campaign. 'Bun in the Oven' fundraising events will run from November through to December with a emphasis on hosting an event during Postnatal Depression Awareness Week 16-22 November 2014.

'We are asking all our wonderful Gidget supporters to host a casual brunch, morning tea, or perhaps a 5 o'clock wine with friends, family or workmates during Postnatal Depression Awareness Week or before the end of December. Guests will hopefully make a small donation to the Gidget Foundation, which will help us continue with our work in education, awareness raising and advocacy around postnatal depression as well as support our programs to assist families.

It’s about baking not baby making! It's designed to be fun and easy for anyone to put a bun in the oven!', says Stephanie Hughes, General Manager at the Gidget Foundation.

To register for a ‘Bun in the Oven’ event download the active pdf registration form

If you would like more information on either The Gidget Foundation or COPE please tap the following links.
The Gidget Foundation
COPE

Every mum needs a little support at some point in their work and parenting career. Reach out today.