Sunshine Coast mother Amy Stephenson says a new Mother and Baby Unit at Nambour General Hospital will be a life-changing support for local families experiencing perinatal mental health challenges.
Mothers experiencing severe mental health challenges during pregnancy or after giving birth will soon have access to specialist inpatient treatment and support on the Sunshine Coast.
The eight-bed Mum and Bub Unit at Nambour General Hospital is one of six locations being delivered across Queensland as part of a $160 million investment to provide 30 new perinatal mental health beds for women experiencing severe mental health challenges during pregnancy and up to 24 months after giving birth.
This will increase the total number of public perinatal mental health beds in Queensland to 42, with services located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Townsville and Ipswich.
For Sunshine Coast mother Amy Stephenson, who has travelled to Brisbane twice to access a Mother and Baby Unit after giving birth to her daughter Estelle, the Nambour facility will be invaluable for families.
“We first went to the unit in Brisbane when Estelle was three months old and it was absolutely life changing for us,” she said.
“It really helped me bond with Estelle and care for her and my mental health.
“We went back when Estelle was 10 months old and during that time we also connected with Peach Tree, which has been a fantastic service for us, having people with lived experience of mental health challenges during the perinatal period.”
Queensland Health has supported the expansion of Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness Centres in regional areas, including the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville and the Gold Coast.
The centres provide parents experiencing a range of emotional and mental health challenges during the perinatal period with access to lived-experience peer workers, as well as opportunities to connect with and support other parents going through similar experiences.
These experiences can range from mild to severe.
“To be able to come into the service, just as you are and connect with other mums who have gone through the exact same thing has been priceless,” Amy said.
“Just having others who understand exactly what you’re going through makes this a really valuable service."
The new Mother and Baby Unit at Nambour General Hospital is expected to be operational by early 2028.
Parents experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties may experience emotional, behavioural or physical changes that persist for more than two weeks.
Signs to be aware of can include:
- Persistent sadness or low mood.
- Intense anxiety or excessive worry.
- Difficulty bonding with or feeling connected to their baby.
- Withdrawing from family, friends or usual activities.
- Significant sleep difficulties beyond the normal demands of caring for a baby.
Anyone concerned about their mental health during pregnancy or after birth should seek advice from a health professional or call 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255).
Queensland’s perinatal mental health beds will focus on supporting recovery, strengthening the mother-infant relationship and building confidence in caring for their baby.
This includes women with:
- Postpartum psychosis.
- Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder following childbirth.
- Severe anxiety and/or depressive disorders.
- Complex mental health difficulties, including a history of trauma, personality disorders, substance use disorders or eating disorders that significantly impact parenting.