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HarrietContributor
I am not sure what I can do to help my sister, who has PND. I am from a pretty close family, but she lives interstate and none of us are able to provide any hands on support for her and her children. I wish there was something I could do to help her, but short of moving interstate, I have no clue. It can be difficult to feel so utterly helpless, just watching her struggle from so far away, and I am worried about her. Any suggestions?
In response to: Feeling helpless
HarrySenior Contributor
Hi Harriet
Here is a link to PANDA. PANDA is the National Post and Antenatal Depression Association Inc.
You can find a great deal of information and resources here.
In response to: Feeling helpless
GeronimoContributor
Hi Harriett,
Harry's reply with a link to PANDA is a good start. I hope your sister has a good GP since even today some male GPs are not taking PND seriously. If she has a good GP who understands and accepts the idea of PND then that GP might refer her to a psychiatrist to be assessed whether she should be on some sort of anti-depressant medication. Alternatively a good GP might arrange for visits to a psychologist for cognitive behavioural therapy which is effective for some types of depression. Up to 8 psychologist visits per year can be billed to Medicare if her GP is kind enough and understanding enough to organize a Mental Health Care Plan for her. You say she lives interstate so I hope she at least lives in a capital city, if she lives in a remote regional area psychological/psychiatric care can be very hard to arrange since most practitioners live and work in larger population centres.
In response to: Feeling helpless
NikNikSenior Contributor
Practical help is definitely something a lot of carers have to deal with & highlights that to be a ‘carer’ you don’t necessarily have to live with or close to the person you’re caring for.
There are organisations that offer practical support & the link that Harry posted is one example http://www.panda.org.au/about-panda/pandas-services?showall=&start=3 I’m not sure if this is geographically appropriate for your sister, but if your sister is receiving professional help for her PND, they may be able to provide a list of organisations that could assist in a practical sense.
It’s great that your family is so close. Don’t underestimate the power of the emotional support that you’re providing your sister.
Are there any other carers here who care for someone who is not geographically close by? How do you handle this?
In response to: Feeling helpless
DaisyContributor
In response to: Re: Feeling helpless
HarrietContributor
Thank you for all your suggestions and encouragement, I will look into PANDA's resources. I guess it is true that sometimes we underestimate emotional support - even if loved one live nearby, there can be times when this is all we are able to offer and the feeling of helplessness remains...So thanks for pointing that out to me, I really appreciate all your contributions on this one.
In response to: Feeling helpless
JoSenior Contributor
Is it possible for you to go there for a short holiday to help her investigate what help is available in her area? Sometimes, when someone is too depressed, they don't have the energy to do this. If you could just get things rolling for her and hand over to those bodies that will be able to help her, you'd be doing her a great service. You'd only need to go for a few days.
In response to: Feeling helpless
PeppiPattySenior Contributor
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
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