More than the Baby Blues - PND

Postnatal Depression Support in the NIMBA Community

The NIMBA community is fortunate to have a dedicated Postnatal Depression (PND) support contact available. This NIMBA member previously shared their journey through PND, a topic that remains as relevant today as ever.

They experienced symptoms of PND soon after leaving hospital, with feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and exhaustion. Despite multiple attempts to seek help, they often felt unsupported or overlooked by health professionals. Eventually, a referral to a perinatal mental health unit provided the turning point—offering rest, guidance, and a pathway to recovery. Learning to ask for help and recognising the signs of mental health struggles became key steps toward healing.

Today, this NIMBA member is involved in peer mentoring and research programs supporting parents at risk of PND. They are passionate about raising awareness and encouraging others to seek help early. As they note, there is a big difference between the short-lived ‘baby blues’ and ongoing symptoms of PND, which can include anxiety, sadness, and a sense of isolation.

Their message to other parents is clear: it’s okay to ask for help, and talking to someone who’s been through a similar experience can make all the difference.

For confidential support or to talk about your experience, NIMBA members are welcome to reach out to our PND contact at any time info@nimba.amba.org.au

One of our NIMBA member's also highly recommends this webinar from AMBA 'You can't pour from an empty cup' - it wasn't until watching this video that she twigged that the rage and fatigue symptoms she was experiencing was actually post-natal depression.

Alternatively, these local organisations offer support:

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
PANDA supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence)
Providing support for the emotional challenges of becoming a parent, they offer a free app developed in consultation with AMBA called ‘Ready to Cope’ which supports parents through their first year of parenthood.

Beyond Blue
If you’re going through a hard time right now, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 for brief counselling.