In Queensland more than 60,000 babies are born each year. Yet, there is just one public four-bed mother and baby perinatal mental health facility in the entire state.
There is an immediate, unmet need in our community to respond to the needs of these women—and their partners and children —who experience perinatal mental health issues before and after their baby is born.
Catherine’s House will change that.
With the help of philanthropists and the community, Mater will create a vital service for women who experience perinatal mental health issues.
The Mater Family Wellbeing Service, which will be located in the repurposed Mater Convent, now affectionately known as Catherine’s House, will complement and integrate with other Mater Health services across Queensland, including our Neonatal Critical Care Unit, 24-hour Pregnancy Assessment Centre, Parenting Support Centre and Parent Aid Unit. The new service will be co-located with Mater’s paediatricians, lactation consultants, psychologists, allied health professionals and mental health services in Catherine's House.
It will be just metres away from Mater Mothers’ Hospitals in South Brisbane.
Once established, Catherine’s House will complete Mater’s comprehensive offering to parents and their babies.
Did you know?
The long term impact
Perinatal depression and anxiety takes a heavy toll on parents, children and families.
It is a treatable illness. With treatment, the social, health and wellbeing benefits for mother, child and family are enormous and last a lifetime–so creating a dedicated perinatal mental health service is critical.
