Calls for $700m annual boost into QLD mental health services as doctors see rise in new parents seeking support

Mothers have reported not being able to access community health help due to the pandemic, with doctors confirming a rise in new parents seeking mental health support.

Queensland doctors are seeing rising numbers of new parents seeking mental health support due to Covid related restrictions and the Australian Medical Association is calling for a government cash injection into services to help them.

Mothers report being released from hospital soon after birth, even before they have learned to breastfeed, and due to the pandemic have not been able to access community child health help, the AMAQ chiefs have revealed.

Queensland President Professor Chris Perry and Vice President Dr Bav Manoharan are giving evidence to the Queensland parliament Select Committee today and will call for a $700m annual boost for all mental health services in the state.

Mothers report being released from hospital before they have even learned to breastfeed. Picture: Supplied

“Queensland spends the lowest of any state or territory on mental health,” Prof Perry said.

“At the same time, during Covid, we have seen a 28 per cent increase in presentations to emergency departments for mental health services, and a 50 per cent increase in presentations to GPs for patients seeking help for mental health conditions.

“Our members are also seeing an increase in mental health presentations from new parents. Many new mothers are reporting being discharged from hospital soon after giving birth, sometimes before they have learnt how to breastfeed and settle their baby” he said.

“Covid restrictions mean they have also not been able to be part of baby groups or Community Child Health supports.

“We call on Queensland Health to increase the level of support for peri-natal mental health by reintroducing Community Child Health sessions and increasing the number of mother-baby inpatient units across the state.”

AMAQ Vice President Dr. Bav Manoharan will give evidence on Thursday to the Queensland parliament Select Commitee. Picture: Attila Csaszar

In its submission to the Queensland Parliament’s Mental Health Select Committee Inquiry, AMA Queensland outlined five key areas for immediate action:

- Support increased use of technology

- Support additional mental health training and professional development for GPs

- Improve the pathway to treatment and care after a suicide attempt

- Ensure multifunctional service delivery centres to provide care for people with dual diagnoses

- Review mental health funding models

“Mental wellbeing is critical to all our health and wellbeing,” Dr Manoharan said.

“We need appropriate funding to keep people safe in the community and out of emergency departments wherever possible.”