Annual Report

2012 / 2013

Post & Ante Natal Depression Support & Information Inc.

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Contents

About PANDSI 3

Highlights of the year 4

Evidence based practice 4

Governance 4

President’s report 5

Treasurer’s report 6

Executive Officer’s report 7

Audited Accounts June 2013 8

Post & Ante Natal Depression Support & Information Inc.

www.pandsi.org

25 Stapylton Street, Holder, ACT, 2611

Services: 02 6288 1936 services@pandsi.org

Admin: 02 6287 3961 info@pandsi.org

ABN: 43 775 427 479

Post and Ante Natal Depression Support and Information Inc.

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About PANDSI

PANDSI is an incorporated community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the Australian Capital Territory. Primarily funded by ACT Health we are staffed by five Support Workers and ancillary administration staff. PANDSI operates out of the old Holder Preschool site in Canberra 5 days a week. PANDSI’s principle aims are to: Provide information, support and

appropriate referral to women, men and their families who are affected by perinatal mental health issues including antenatal or postnatal depression and perinatal anxiety.

Raise community awareness of these conditions.

Form productive relationships with other organisations in the sector to enhance services for the target group.

We wish to help reduce the negative outcomes of perinatal mental health conditions and build resilience in families. Reducing symptoms can enhance parents’ self-esteem and skills, ease family discord and breakdown, reduce

child abuse and improve children’s cognitive and behavioural short and long-term outcomes.

To achieve these aims PANDSI Inc. provides: facilitated support groups to

enhance coping skills and promote development of mutual support networks;

free childcare during support groups;

telephone support – an outbound telephone service to clients;

playgroup - to help make friendships and learn how to enjoy playing with babies and toddlers;

infant massage group aimed at enhancing the bond between mother and baby and reduce symptoms of post natal depression;

partner’s information sessions offering education on perinatal depression and how to support a partner;

drop-in sessions for clients for ‘coffee & chat’ with experienced support worker;

outreach acrtivities to reach families in familiar surroundings (eg. Clinics);

media activities to raise public awareness of issues related to perinatal depression;

a newsletter for clients and the public; and

training and information sessions to other organisations.

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Highlights of the year

Helping so many mums and dads cope and

recover from perinatal depression continues

to highlight our activities and receiving so

many heartfelt thanks and testimonials from

clients who exit the service is both

rewarding and humbling.

PND Awareness Week in November is our

busiest time of year and 2012 was no

exception. 130 health professionals and

stakeholders attended our annual Twilight

Seminar on the subject of postpartum

psychosis and were impressed by our guest

speaker Dr Megan

Galbally, (Consultant

Psychiatrist and Head of

Unit at Mercy Hospital

for Women in Victoria

and a Clinical Associate

Professor in the

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

at the University of Melbourne). The main

focus of the evening was

the presentation from the

family who suffered from

post-partum psychosis who

gave such a personal

insight that no-one in the

room was left unaffected. This story will no

doubt assist healthcare professionals in

their relationships with future sufferers and

we are most grateful that we were able to

present this seminar.

As well as the Twilight Seminar PANDSI ran

a number of awareness-raising activities

during PND Awareness Week. What we aim

to do with these activities is to make parents

and family members aware that it is ok to

not feel ok, speak up as there is help

available. Ultimately we want to reduce the

stigma sometimes associated with perinatal

depression.

2012 saw the introduction of a pilot program

aimed at helping couples experiencing

relationship difficulties in the face of

perinatal depression. Resilient

Relationships funded by the Rotary Club of

Canberra South was designed by Alison

Christie and helped 10 couples work

through relationship issues. Feedback and

results were very encouraging and we will

be repeating the workshops again in 2014.

Evidence based practice All our programs are evaluated at the end of each term by way of evaluation forms and they consistently perform well. In addition clients complete Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scores on entry and exit of each program and results are monitored.

In addition all new programs are researched before introduction and existing clients are surveyed for their opnions prior to program design.

Governance

PANDSI is governed by a volunteer Board and complies with the regulations of the ACT Associations Incorporation ACT 1991. Office bearers include President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary and were elected at the November 27th 2012 Annual General Meeting. Board Members oversee all operations of PANDSI whose day-to-day activities are run by the Executive Officer, Polly McIntyre.

The Board has oversight of service delivery

and performance, financial management,

strategic planning, policies and procedures,

staffing and risk management. It ensures

current insurances are adequate and up-to-

date.

PANDSI is working towards accreditation

under the National Standards for Mental

Health Services.

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President’s Report I am pleased to present the President’s Report for 2013. The past 12 months have seen significant changes for PANDSI and the beginning of a whole new chapter in the organisation’s history.

The emerging science of epigenetics has shown how detrimental in utero exposure to maternal depression and anxiety can be for the developing fetus and how such exposure can affect that individual for their lifespan. A report issued in November 2012 demonstrated that perinatal depression and anxiety could cost Australia almost $500 million by the time the children born in 2012 turn two. It therefore makes sound economic sense to seek ways to prevent or ameliorate these effects by investing in the sector. With these stark realties in mind, both national and local governments demonstrated ongoing commitment to the perinatal mental health sector. In May this year, the federal government provided $37.4 million to enable the continuation of the very successful National Perinatal Depression Initiative and in June the ACT Government indicated it intends to increase its grant to PANDSI by $150,000 per annum.

PANDSI intends to employ two new support workers, enlarge its range of programs and extend its opening hours to operate five days a week. We have also been able to access additional space and now occupy the entire Holder building. This is the most significant growth in the organisation since it was funded by ACT Health in 1987.

PANDSI employed 4 Support Workers in 2012/13 – Britt (lead support worker), Anne, Angela, and Leigh. My grateful thanks go to all the staff who continue to give so much more than they are contracted to do. Their passion and commitment are obvious and very much appreciated. PANDSI continues to attract increasing numbers of clients in large part thanks to Kim Senini's engagement with stakeholders. The additional funding to be provided by the ACT Government was the result of a budget bid to enable the provision of more antenatal services and more services for couples experiencing difficulties with their relationships.

PANDSI’s commitment to providing services based on evidence has resulted in our ever improving reputation in the sector. We look forward to implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of all the new services in the coming year.

PANDSI’s Executive Officer Polly McIntyre has provided exemplary leadership to PANDSI staff and along with our excellent treasurer Jenny Morison has streamlined the organisations financial services with a new bookkeeper assisting in this process.

The initial five years of the NDPI concluded on 30 June 2013. PANDSI played a significant role in the initiative in the ACT and will continue to play a role in the extended program, due for review in 2017. PANDSI contributed to the final ACT report to the federal government three reports on projects conducted during the five year period: Blokes and Blues for fathers, the Resilient Relationships Course and a review of the PUMP program (combined exercise and support). We also initiated the formation of a pathway to care, one of the primary pillars of the NDPI.

The Fair Work Australia equal pay decision was rolled out this year with two payments being made. To date PANDSI staff have received one of two initial 4% increases in salary (the next one is due to be paid in December). Payments will ultimately rise over a nine-year period by 36% (Level 6 support workers) and 38% for a Level 7 support worker.

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My thanks to our volunteers, without whom we would struggle to function. I would also like to make mention of the lovely bunch of childcare workers who have provided unwell women with respite and a chance to concentrate on themselves for awhile. Many mothers tell us that the childcare provided by PANDSI is “a life saver”. I really hope that childcare workers are soon able to receive better salaries, commensurate with their valuable contribution. My grateful thanks to all staff for the amazing work they do, it is much appreciated by me and by the community we serve.

PANDSI has been the recipient of several donations again this year amounting to $14,364.65. This includes $10,000 which was generously donated by the Rotary Club of Canberra South to fund the Resilient Relationships program.

In closing I commend my fellow (continuing & retiring) Board members for their efforts during the past 12 months. Thanks to all of your efforts PANDSI is in the very best shape is has ever been, at least in my memory. My very special thanks to Vice President Joan Corbett for all her hard work on PANDSI policies and procedures and for her support of me this year.

Next year will be a very exciting and demanding one for PANDSI as the organisation “comes of age”. PANDSI will need to prove it is worthy of the significant financial commitment to it made by ACT Health. We need to implement the planned

services, evaluate their effectiveness and continue to explore opportunities to better serve our target population.

Marian Currie

President

Treasurer’s Report

It is with great pleasure I present my first annual report as Treasurer of PANDSI. I would like to express my thanks to Jenny Morison who has provided valuable support in taking over the role from her.

PANDSI`s financial position remains solid following 2012 year.

PANDSI audited financial statements for the financial year end 30 June 2013 show a profit of $1,120 (2012 $6,067). Net assets at 30 June 2013 are $37,091 (2012 $29,903).

I would like to thank Stephen Bray, the auditor of the financial statements for his professionalism and ongoing support of PANDSI.

Lastly I would like to thank EO Polly McIntyre, staff and fellow board members for their support.

Deb Bowden, CPA

Treasurer

“I don't know where I'd be without PANDSI. Without sounding too melodramatic, you saved me and you therefore saved my family. PANDSI was where I rediscovered my own strength & worth and it was a place where I found friends who took over where PANDSI left off. It was what I leaned heavily on when I had no where else to prop me up.” Client Testimonial

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Executive Officer’s Report

The 2012/13 Financial Year was a busy one for PANDSI with an increase in client numbers and a consolidation of our new service delivery pathway developed over this period.

Our Support Workers worked long and hard this year and I am very grateful for their dedication and empathy in their ceaseless support of our clients. During the year we lost one Support Worker as Leigh returned with her family to Brisbane; her hours were taken up by existing employees. My sincere thanks go to Britt and her team for a great year; they represent the strength of our service.

Thanks also go to our childcare team; Tam, Fiona, Sandra and Van have continued to provide regular and thoughtful care while mothers attend group. Volunteers continue to play an important role with PANDSI and we have received particular support this year from Anne during PUMP, Fiona during Yoga and Chris has helped out cataloguing and covering our new library books. Our heartfelt thanks go to all our volunteers who give up their time to help us.

Our energetic Information and Education Officer Kim Senini continues to promote the services of PANDSI among professionals, community organisations and at exhibitions and community days. She does a marvellous job and I would like to recognise her efforts, enthusiasm and professionalism as she helps to raise awareness of perinatal depression and the services of PANDSI.

2012 saw the exciting development of a series of pilot workshops created by Alison Christie to help clients experiencing relationship problems in the face of perinatal depression. Resilient Relationships was funded by the Rotary Club of Canberra South and was a very successful program delivered by Alison helping 10 couples with their relationship issues. Feedback and results were very encouraging and more of these workshops will be run in 2014.

Events and awareness-raising campaigns continue to be an important part of PANDSI’s work and we were busy during PND Awareness week in November 2012 with a number of media activities and our very successful Twilight Seminar. Attended by 130 people, Twilight welcomed Dr Megan Galbally to speak on Postpartum Psychosis and we also heard the moving account of a consumer who experienced this disorder. Many thanks go to everyone who attended, as well as the generous staff of Manuka Oval who made the evening such a success.

Grateful thanks also go do our donors, sponsors, Rotary Club of Canberra South and of course ACT Health for the funding to continue our work. We very much look forward to introducing new services next financial year in the light of the ACT Budget announcement providing increased funding to perinatal mental health support services.

I am grateful for the support offered by the PANDSI Board and acknowledge the time and expertise they generously donate to help families experiencing perinatal mental health issues. I look forward to continuing my work here and overseeing the continued growth of the service.

Polly McIntyre Executive Officer

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Post & Ante Natal Depression Support & Information Inc. www.pandsi.org

25 Stapylton Street, Holder, ACT, 2611

Services: 02 6288 1936 services@pandsi.org Admin: 02 6287 3961 info@pandsi.org

ABN: 43 775 427 479