Gidget Foundation

Gidget
Foundation Australia

With 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA), we’re proud to support Gidget Foundation and families around Australia.

Gidget Foundation Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that provides programs nationally to support the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents.

Four ways we’re supporting expectant and new parents

One - In-store book sales

Bunny Bounces Back

Bunny Bounces Back is the sixth book in the Bunny Books series. Available at Blooms The Chemist stores, Bunny Bounces Back is a special story written for children, with psychological strategies to help new parents step into parenthood happily and powerfully.

The perfect gift for a new baby or new parents, all proceeds from the sale of Bunny Bounces Back are donated to Gidget Foundation Australia.

Two - Fundraising events

Bun in the Oven

Blooms The Chemist stores love hosting a good fundraiser! Our stores around Australia will host ‘Bun in the Oven’ fundraisers to raise much-needed funds to support the Gidget Foundation's work.

Ask your local Blooms The Chemist how to get involved.

Three - Our staff

Gidget Champions

Blooms The Chemist Gidget Champions can assist you with any questions about Gidget Foundation Australia, talk to you about available resources and support, and share ways you can help expectant and new parents in your community.

You can find our Gidget Champions in-store by their red ‘Ask me why I’m a Gidget Champion’ badges.

Four - Education & resources

Perinatal Resource Hub

Our Perinatal Resource Hub packs were created by the Gidget Foundation clinical team, providing helpful tips and advice for expectant and new parents.

These resources can be found in-store on display or by asking your friendly Gidget Champions.

What does Gidget Foundation Australia do?

Gidget Foundation Australia have a number of programs to support expectant and new parents. This includes their Gidget Emotional Wellbeing Screening Program, which provides support for pregnant women at selected hospitals.

Their Gidget House and Start Talking programs provide a minimum of 10 free individual psychological counselling sessions for expectant and new parents, face-to-face at various locations or via video call, within a calendar year.

Find Out More

What is Perinatal Depression and Anxiety?

Trigger warning: please be advised, this content includes references to serious mental health disorders, including severe anxiety and depression, and suicide.

Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) is a temporary, treatable, diagnosable condition. It does not discriminate. PNDA occurs when symptoms of anxiety and depression occur during pregnancy or
after baby is born and impacts on daily functioning to varying degrees. It can develop gradually or over a period of time and may continue for many months or longer if not treated.

1 in 5 mums and 1 in 10 dads experience PNDA, which is around 100,000 Australians each year. PNDA is not the baby blues which occurs in 80% of new mothers in the first few days after giving birth.

Baby blues is marked by tearfulness, anxiety and some overwhelming feelings and does not need treatment other than offering extra support and reassurance.
Ups and downs are expected and common. But when bad days become the norm, a parent may be experiencing perinatal depression and / or anxiety.

Feelings to be aware of:

- Feeling like you can’t cope
- Feeling sadder than usual
- Constant worrying
- Feeling worthless and guilty
- Withdrawing from family and/or friends
- Lack of connection with your baby
- Finding it harder to do daily tasks

- Changes in appetite and/or sleep
- Loss of concentration
- Losing interest in sex or intimacy
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Extended periods of irritability and anger

If you are experiencing these feelings for two weeks or more, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.

Find support via Gidget Foundation Australia. Call 1300-851-758 or email

contact@gidgetfoundation.org.au

Please call 000 if you are in immediate danger.