Zonta International (NZ) forms partnership with PADA

Zonta International (New Zealand) forms partnership with PADA

Zonta International District 16 (New Zealand) is delighted to announce a two-year partnership with Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa (PADA) to help educate health care providers who are supporting families experiencing perinatal mental illness. 11 percent of women (four percent of men) become depressed during pregnancy, and post-natal depression affects up to 25 percent of New Zealand women and 10 percent of men. The issues and their impacts are not widely understood in the community and the issues are often stigmatised. Zonta is an organisation committed to improving outcomes for women and girls – partnering with PADA will help raise awareness in the community and enable support to be provided when it is most needed.

PADA is a national organisation whose vision is to eliminate the stigma around perinatal mental health in New Zealand. It works with women and men during one of the most significant life transitions – parenthood, a time when many new parents can feel overwhelmed and anxious. PADA does not receive government funding and relies on grants, donations, bequests and sponsorship to fund its operations. The partnership with Zonta will enable PADA to extend its reach throughout New Zealand, and to provide a very important national education programme.

Zonta will provide funding to support PADA’s Educator Project. The educator will work with a range of agencies (e.g. Plunket, Midwives, GP’s, Playcentres/Kindy/Creches, Parents Centre, SPACE NZ Trust, etc.) to build relationships, develop a core curriculum and deliver training courses. This will support the transfer of knowledge into local communities to make them more resilient and to help them become more self-sufficient in the delivery of perinatal support to vulnerable women and men.

Zonta District 16 Governor Souella Cumming says “Zonta Clubs throughout New Zealand are enthusiastic about supporting PADA’s Educator Project through fundraising events and supporting PADA professionals in community based activities. PADA’s vision and mission align well with Zonta’s focus on improving social, health and educational outcomes for women and girls”. PADA Operations Manager, Treena Cooper, says “the partnership with Zonta will enable PADA to extend its reach and expand the support it provides throughout New Zealand”.

Zonta is a global organisation of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. For more information please visit www.zonta.org.nz or www.zonta.org. Find us on Facebook: Zonta District 16.

PADA is a national organisation established to educate those working in, and those connected with and experiencing perinatal mental health issues, and to raise awareness of post-natal depression in the community. For more information please visit www.pada.nz or Facebook: Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa.

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