To help raise awareness for perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA), Gidget Foundation Australia and LiSTNR have launched the 1 in 5 Mothers, 1 in 10 Fathers podcast series.
PNDA impacts around 100,000 Australians each year – in fact, it affects 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers – and often comes as a surprise to the parents or families affected. This is a temporary and treatable condition and support services are available across Australia.
In the podcast, in partnership with Gidget Foundation Australia, LiSTNR spotlights PNDA in honest accounts by those able to share their stories allowing listeners to meet some of the 1 in 5 mothers, and 1 in 10 fathers who have experienced and worked through their PNDA.
The series is hosted by Nine News presenter Davina Smith, who experienced perinatal depression herself after the birth of her first child and is now a Gidget Ambassador.
During each episode, one person who has struggled with PNDA will share their story with the support of a Gidget clinical perinatal specialist. Davina Smith and the perinatal specialist then reflect on the story, discuss the intricacies of managing a perinatal mental health condition and talk through the various ways to identify and treat it.
Gidget Foundation Australia CEO, Arabella Gibson, said: “Perinatal depression and anxiety affects almost 100,000 expectant and new parents in Australia every year. There are many more people that unfortunately are undiagnosed. At Gidget Foundation Australia, we know pregnancy and the first year of parenthood is a unique and challenging time and involves huge changes in a parent’s life.
“Although every expectant and new parent’s journey is different, we have found that when individuals share their personal lived experiences it can really help others seek help and feel comforted. Our new podcast series, 1 in 5 Mothers, 1 in 10 Fathers, has been created to help parents who may be struggling understand that they are not alone, and that support is available for them and their loved ones.
“We wanted to create a podcast that would challenge the stigma around mental health for new and expectant parents by sharing real-life experiences of PNDA in early parenthood; encouraging those who are struggling to identify early signs of PNDA to start talking and reach out for help.”
1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers will have two seasons of eight episodes each on LiSTNR with new episodes releasing weekly on Thursdays.