PANDA today unveiled a fresh new look and a name change to highlight anxiety as a key mental health issue for expecting and new parents.

PANDA has rebranded, changing its full name to Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia and launching a new logo, colours and website look.

CEO Terri Smith said the name change puts anxiety front of mind as a perinatal mental health issue and better illustrates the reach and breadth of PANDA’s work.

“We know that perinatal anxiety is as common, if not more so, than depression and can be as debilitating. Over 50% of callers to our national Helpline describe symptoms of anxiety. Many parents also experience anxiety and depression at the same time.”

“Our new name retains the ‘PANDA’ that people know and shows the importance of recognising and supporting parents’ mental health right through the perinatal period (during pregnancy and after birth).
Antenatal anxiety and depression are strong risk factors in developing postnatal anxiety and depression. However, early treatment during pregnancy can reduce these risks. We need to consider a parent’s wellbeing across this continuum, rather than viewing these periods as separate.

“Perinatal anxiety and depression affects both women and men and we wanted a modern, gender-neutral look and logo that reflects PANDA’s expertise and the services we provide.”