Scotland's first postnatal depression telephone helpline "Bluebell at ParentLine Scotland" launched on Friday, the national awareness-raising day for postnatal depression.

The initiative is a joint venture between CrossReach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland, and the charity Children 1st, which runs the free confidential helpline ParentLine Scotland.

From the ParentLine Scotland call centre in Edinburgh, the partnership will provide a Scotland-wide advice service for sufferers of postnatal depression and their families.

CrossReach has spent the past two years exploring the potential for a helpline and raising initial funding after identifying that no such service existed in Scotland.

One fundraising initiative by the Bluebell Campaign has been the Bluebell Bunfight, a fun, family-friendly coffee morning. Introduced last year, the event is a great way to raise money for Bluebell and to raise awareness among local communities.

This year, a flagship Bluebell Bunfight is being held at Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh, on Bluebell Day.

Viv Dickenson, one of the founder members of the Bluebell Campaign and an employee of CrossReach, said: "Until now support for families struggling with postnatal depression has been patchy. The launch of the Bluebell at ParentLine Scotland helpline is a major step forward in our campaign to provide Scotland-wide support for all sufferers of postnatal depression and their families.

The helpline will operate in addition to existing services run by the NHS and voluntary organisations, and will support both mothers and fathers.

"It is often not just a new mum that suffers ? research shows that fathers often become depressed after childbirth too or don't know what to do when their partner becomes depressed at a time when everyone expects them to be happy," said Dickenson.

"We are delighted to be working in collaboration with ParentLine to ensure no one suffers in silence."

Crossreach will cover the costs of a dedicated helpline number and has provided specialised, expert training for calltakers, while ParentLine Scotland, in addition to its committed, highly-trained team of calltakers, will provide technical and professional support services.

Jill Cook, manger of ParentLine Scotland, said: "Every year, ParentLine helps thousands of parents and carers who are facing a wide range of difficulties. Helplines are an important support for people who may find it difficult to share their concerns with family or friends and often feel extremely isolated.

"We are delighted that through this partnership with Crossreach we have been able to develop our expertise in supporting callers affected by post natal depression."

The freephone helpline telephone number is 0800 3457 457. Lines are open from 9am-5pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9am-9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.