A/Prof. Raju Lakshmana A/Prof. Raju Lakshmana

working with parents towards better mental health

  • Home
  • Being a Parent
  • What is PND?
  • Do you think you need help?
  • Getting help
  • Biography
  • Referral Process
  • Educational Resources
  • Home
  • Being a Parent
  • What is PND?
  • Do you think you need help?
  • Getting help
  • Biography
  • Referral Process
  • Educational Resources

Please ask any of the following people for assistance:

  • General Practitioner
  • Obstetrician/ Midwife
  • Paediatrician
  • Maternal Child Health Nurse (MHCN)
  • Lactation Nurse

Please speak to your Partner (if appropriate)about how you feel and request their support.

You can call:

PANDA National Helpline: 1300 736 306 (Mon- Fri, 10AM- 5PM)

Gidget Foundation https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/ 1300 851 758

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Helpline 1300 24 23 22 (https://forwhenhelpline.org.au/): Mental Health Support for New and Expecting Parents (9AM- 430PM Mon-Fri)

For out-of-hours assistance: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or your local mental health triage or emergency departments

In emergency: "000"

Help can take form of:

  • Counselling and Support
  • Specific psychotherapy (talking treatment) for depression and/or anxiety through psychologist or counsellor
  • Investigations to make sure there are no medical reasons for how you feel
  • Medications if required
  • Referral to Psychiatrist for assessment and development of a treatment plan
  • Your GP is the best person to organise these as most of the costs are reimbursed through Medicare



If you have questions about safety of your medications in pregnancy or with breastfeeding, contact:

Monash Medical Centre
Mr Rodney Whyte 
E: r.whyte@southernhealth.org.au
T: (03) 9594 2361
F: (03) 9594 6595

Perinatal Psychotropic Medicines Information Service (PPMIS)
E: drug.information@thewomens.org.au
T: (03) 8345 3190
F: (03) 8345 3195
W: www.ppmis.org.au

Pregnancy and prescription medications

Breastfeeding and prescription medications 

Find a Psychiatrist 

You can look up and find a Psychiatrist and request your GP to refer you to them by clicking on this website: https://www.ranzcp.org/Mental-health-advice/find-a-psychiatrist.aspx  

Find a Psychologist

You can locate a perinatal psychologist/ practitioner through following websites:

https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist

www.centreforperinatalpsychology.com.au

www.antenatalandpostnatalpsychology.com.au 

Websites that offer evidence based therapy/ information

moodgym.anu.edu.au

ecouch.anu.edu.au

actbelongcommit.org.au

https://womensmentalhealth.org/resource/patient-support-services/ 

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/eMental-health.pdf