Any experience with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) can be challenging and stressful for parents, extended family members, and friends. It is important to reach out and access support for your mental health and wellbeing when you need it.
Peer support
The CDH community in Australia is very active and supportive. The importance and benefit of feeling connected to others is well documented. Being connected and sharing experiences promotes good mental health. Our online peer-support groups are a great place to find information, share your story and connect with others who have navigated the CDH journey.
Social Workers
Ask your hospital to connect you with their Social Worker Team who are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to accessing information, financial support, mental health, and professional services in your local area.
Mental health and wellbeing resources
Links to Australian organisations with information and support for the mental health of you and your family.
Perinatal support
PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood. PANDA National Helpline Phone 1300 726 306 Available Mon to Fri, 9am – 7.30pm AEST/AEDT
Gidget Foundation Australia supports the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents to ensure they receive timely, appropriate and specialist care.
General support
Lifeline provides compassionate support for people in crisis. No judgement. No conditions. No agenda. Just a human connection to help people get through their darkest moments.
Beyond Blue 24/7 mental health support. Information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best mental health.
Head to Health An innovative website that can help you find free and low-cost, trusted online and phone mental health resources.
MindSpot Clinic An online and telephone clinic providing free assessment and treatment services for Australian adults with anxiety or depression.
Support for carers
Carers Australia Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.
SANE Australia Information about mental illness, treatments, where to go for support and help for carers.
Support for children and young people
Headspace Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
Kids Helpline A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
Support for men
MensLine Australia A telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.
Support for families
Relationships Australia A provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.
Support for multicultural families
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health A national platform for multicultural communities and Australian mental health services to access resources, services and information in a culturally accessible format.
Grief and loss support
Unfortunately, not all babies and children diagnosed with this condition survive, and grief and loss can be a very difficult part of a family’s CDH journey. Visit our page on Grief and loss for support and information.
CRISIS SUPPORT
Lifeline services are available for all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to free 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing emotional distress and would like to access immediate support, contact Lifeline.
Lifeline phone support
Phone 13 11 14 Australia’s largest crisis support line. Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter over the phone, any time of the day or night 24 hours / 7 days.
Lifeline Text
Text 0477 13 11 14 Australia’s first SMS-based Crisis Support service, any person in Australia can receive support from a Crisis Supporter by text message, any time of the day or night 24 hours / 7 days.
Lifeline Online Chat
The online chat service is available for people who prefer to type than talk. Any person in Australia can chat with a Crisis Supporter through the Lifeline Australia website, any time of the day or night 24 hours / 7 days.
Professional counselling
Discuss how you are feeling with your GP and ask about The Better Access initiative which gives Medicare rebates to eligible people, so they can access the mental health services they need. Support is available from eligible GPs and other medical practitioners, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists. Eligible people can receive up to 10 individual and up to 10 group allied mental health services each year. Ask your GP for more information. You can also visit health.gov.au
Family and friends
If your family would like to help but they are not sure how, please refer them to our page Information for family and friends.
CDH and PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a set of responses that can develop in people who have been through or witnessed a traumatic event. Read our fact sheet and guidance on CDH and PTSD.
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