PANDA Helpline sees surge in calls from Aussie parents facing financial pressures

A mum-of-two has revealed how she fought and overcame a crushing struggle with anxiety. See the video and how you can get help.

Exclusive: Anxious Aussie parents struggling to deal with financial pressures and feelings of isolation are flocking to a national support helpline, with more than 150 calls logged per day and a sharp rise in the length of conversations.

Shock new data from Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia [PANDA] has revealed that of the 55,236 calls made to the organisation’s national helpline in the twelve months to June 2023, one in four of the calls lasted more than an hour.

PANDA CEO Julie Borninkhof said staff were spending more time providing counselling support as well as extra follow up calls to parents who were suffering greater levels of distress due to issues such as mortgage pressures and the rising cost of living.

PANDA chief executive Julie Borninkhof

“We are also hearing more from parents, especially mums, who are having to return back to work earlier than they had expected,” Ms Borninkhof said.

“Not being able to take 12 months off and having to return early to ensure that they’re able to keep finances stable has a really significant impact on how people perceive that period of their life, that first 12 months for their baby.”

Ms Borninkhof said many parents in today’s consumerist society felt the added pressure of having to purchase expensive new baby items, which could add to stress and anxiety levels.

She urged new parents to have “authentic conversations” with their families and communities about how they were feeling and to ensure they maintained self-care such as showering and staying hydrated.

Megan Lester, with her family, says she struggled after the birth of her son.

Megan Lester, from Queensland’s Rockhampton (featured in the video above), said anxieties from childhood trauma triggered post-natal mental health issues after the birth of her son.

“I found it very difficult to leave the house on my own with my children for the first six months of my son’s life,” she said.

“I slowly found places that I felt safe to go with my children and once a week we would go out for babyccinos and coffee.”

The 33-year-old psychology student said regular visits to a therapist and being open with her friends about her mental health struggles had made a huge difference to her life.

“I try to do yoga as often as I can, be mindful in my activities and interactions, and be kind to myself when things are hard,” she said.

Newcastle mum-of-three Rebecca Sogal also struggled with feelings of isolation and relentless pressure.

Rebecca Sogal with her husband and children. Picture: Supplied

“After my first was born, I would check and re-check to make sure her curtains weren’t near the heater and that her face wasn’t covered,” she said.

“In the car I would pull over to make sure her chin wasn’t touching her neck in the car seat. “It was a very overwhelming experience to suddenly be in control of someone’s whole life.

Ms Sogal, 36, said she was fortunate to have “a wonderful neighbour who took me under her wing”.

“She got me out every day for a walk and fresh air, I am forever grateful and open about how significant her support was to me,” she said.

Markot co-founder Nicole Deutsch with her son Jack.

New figures from Markot’s Australian Parents and the Circular Economy Research Report show Australian parents spend approximately $1.5 billion on baby goods per year, with about $174 million worth of items sent to landfill annually, and another $349 million kept in storage.

Nicole Deutsch, founder of Markot, a service which helps parents buy and sell preloved baby goods, said the firm wanted to help families struggling with costs, while also encouraging sustainable practices.

“There is no doubt that parenting can be emotionally challenging, and financially draining,” she said.

“Markot exists to help Australian parents by offering pick up of preloved baby items that we will pay Australian families for, while also the opportunity for families to buy preloved, refurbished, cleaned and checked baby items from the best brands at a discounted price.”

For more, follow @pandanational and seek help from the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 (9am-7:30pm Monday-Saturday) or panda.org.au.

Originally published as PANDA Helpline sees surge in calls from Aussie parents facing financial pressures