Not feeling quite right? Perhaps you are worried about your pregnancy or baby?
Becoming a parent comes with its own set of challenges and strong feelings. If you feel like your emotions are getting on top of you, know that you aren’t alone: there are people out there who can help you.
The sooner you start receiving the help you need, the sooner you can begin your road to recovery and feel better.
Make an appointment with your GP, or use the following list to find a helpline and speak to a qualified counsellor.
Australian support services for parents
Mental health support
- Pregnancy Birth & Baby : Call 1800 882 436 (free call from landlines), 7 days a week between the hours of 7 am and midnight. The Pregnancy, Birth & Baby service is a non-judgemental service that parents and parents-to-be can call and speak to a midwife or a maternal child health nurse.
- Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia’s (PANDA): 1300 726 306, Monday to Saturday, 9 am – 7.30 pm AEST/AEDT. If you’re struggling with becoming a parent, PANDA provides free counselling and information on antenatal and postnatal depression.
- Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Lifeline provides crisis support and suicide prevention services to all Australians experiencing emotional distress.
Pregnancy support
- Pregnancy Birth and Baby: Call 1800 882 436 (free call from landlines), 7 days a week, between the hours of 7 am and midnight, to talk to a midwife about any pregnancy concerns.
- Health Direct: Call 1800 022 222, 24 hours a day, for health advice.
- Your hospital: Call your local hospital and ask to speak to a midwife if you have health worries at any time – day or night – throughout your pregnancy.
Pregnancy loss and stillbirth support
- Red Nose: Call 1300 308 307, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know has been impacted by stillbirth or the loss of a child, Red Nose has a free support helpline for grieving parents and families. You can also call the service to make an appointment for a counselling session or to join a support group. For more resources, visit www.rednosegriefandloss.com.au.
- SANDS: Call 1300 072 637, 24 hours a day. SANDS is an independent organisation that provides miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support.
- Bears of Hope: Call 1300 11 HOPE. Bears of Hope provides support for families who experience the loss of their baby.
Relationship counselling
- MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78 for 24-hour support. MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns, including becoming a parent.
- Relationships Australia: Call 1300 364 277. Relationships Australia provides relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.
