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Taryn's Journey with Postnatal Depression

Taryn Collins shares her journey with Postnatal Depression  this Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness (PANDA) Week 2018.

On average, up to one in five expecting or new mothers and one in ten expecting or new fathers will experience perinatal anxiety or depression. Around 100,000 families will be affected by this illness every year across Australia.

Left untreated, it can have a devastating impact on parents, partners, baby and the rest of the family. In the worst cases, it can even put lives at risk.

With a referral from her GP, Taryn Collins sought help and found treatment at Belmont Private Hospital, Queensland's largest private mental health facility.

Taryn accessed the hospital's Brisbane Centre for Postnatal Disorders following the births of both of her children. The Centre is Queensland's only private inpatient mother and baby unit and helped her on her road to recovery.

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Awareness (PANDA) Week was established by PANDA in 2005 to increase awareness and reduce stigma. Since then PANDA has been using the week to speak out about supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of expecting and new parents, including the signs to look for and where to go to seek support.

The theme of this year’s PANDA Week campaign is ‘I wish I knew’, because many expecting and new mums and dads are surprised and shocked by how challenging becoming a parent can be.

Follow Taryn Collins’ journey with Postnatal Depression and listen to her story here.

If you or someone you love needs help or support please contact the PANDA Hotline on 1300 726 306 or contact your local GP.