New podcast explores perinatal depression and anxiety

Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood can be a challenging and overwhelming time, often full of mixed emotions.

There are good and bad days – but when bad days become the norm, a parent may be experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).

PNDA impacts around 100,000 Australians each year. Affecting one in five mothers and one in 10 fathers, this is a temporary and treatable condition, and support services are available across Australia.

To help raise awareness of PNDA, educate those parents that may be experiencing symptoms and to help those close to them, Gidget Foundation Australia and LiSTNR today launch the 1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers podcast series.

The podcast shines a light on PNDA in brave and honest accounts by those able to share their stories, allowing listeners to meet some of the one in five mothers, and one in 10 fathers who have experienced and worked through their PNDA.

The podcast 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.

Gidget Foundation Australia was established 22 years ago to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care.

Gidget was the nickname of a vibrant young mother who tragically took her own life while experiencing postnatal depression, a diagnosis that she kept to herself.

Gidget Foundation Australia CEO Arabella Gibson says “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 parents’ journey is different, we have found that when individuals share their personal lived experiences it can really help others seek help and feel comforted.”

LiSTNR Branded Podcasts Senior Executive Producer Todd Stevens says “We set out to achieve this podcast series by harnessing the unique and intimate power of audio, featuring stories of some of the one in five mothers, and one in 10 fathers who have experienced PNDA.”

1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers will have two seasons of eight episodes each on LiSTNR. New episodes drop weekly on Thursdays.