Bridgetown Child Health Committee host Perinatal Mental Health week pram walk

Parents from across Bridgetown and surrounds walked their prams through the town’s bustling streets to raise awareness of perinatal mental health week last Friday. More than 20 mums and bubs gathered at Bridgetown playgroup for the PANDA Pram Walk presented by the Bridgetown Child Health Committee and heard from several guest speakers before starting their walk through the centre of town. Radiance spokesperson CJ Heins was one of the guest speakers on the day who told her powerful and eye-opening story of battling postpartum psychosis after the birth of her first child. She was followed by several other speakers who discussed the mental health services available to expecting and new parents in Bridgetown and Manjimup, including local independent psychologist Rebecca Jones, Felicity Lukins from Blackwood Youth Action, and WA Country Health Service child health nurse Sarah Anderson. Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia CEO Julie Borninkhof said PANDA’s Perinatal Mental Health week campaign is focused on encouraging and helping expecting and new parents to proactively build a community of care around them. “This community of care can include relationships with health care providers, trusted friends, other parents through playgroups and new parent groups, online parent support groups and mental health and care providers.” Ms Borninkhof said she encourages mums and dads to reach out to PANDA if they aren’t sure if what they are feeling is normal or need extra support or reassurance. “We are here to be a part of expecting and new parents’ community of care, and can help them build it.” There are many other health services and support groups in the lower South West for expecting and new parents in addition to PANDA, including the Manjimup Pink Elephants support group, Blackwood Parent Support Group, Manjimup Family Centre, Bridgetown Family and Community Centre, Northcliffe Family Centre, RuralLink, South West Aboriginal Medical Service, and 4families. For immediate assistance, see the resource list on Radiance’s website.