Help for struggling new parents in regional Queensland

Telehealth psychiatry has been given a $2m boost to help support pregnant women or new parents in the regions who are struggling with their mental health.

Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga, during question time at Parliament House.

Telehealth psychiatry has been given a $2m boost to help support pregnant women or new parents in the regions who are struggling with their mental health.

The government cash injection into the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (QCPIMH) will go towards increasing training, service development and research for the telehealth or (e-Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (e-PIMH) program.

A new specialist position has been created to bolster the team.

The investment is part of the $89m commitment to initiatives under Better Care Together to improve the mental health and wellbeing of new parents and infants across all areas of the state.

Almost 70 per cent of women and 57 per cent of men with mental health problems are parents. The most common mental health problems experienced during pregnancy and after birth are anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga has welcomed the expansion of the service to help families living outside metro regions.

“We know the period leading up to and in the months’ following birth is a time of

significant adjustment with a heightened risk of mental health conditions.

“Currently, one in five mothers and one in 10 fathers experience post-natal anxiety

and depression and we know that when left untreated, it can have long-term impacts

on parents, children, and families,” she said.

“I’m grateful that this innovative use of telehealth psychiatry means people living in

rural, remote, and regional communities across Queensland can still access the

support they need, when they need it.

“‘As a mum I know first-hand how challenging a new baby can be and while I didn’t

see a medical professional about the symptoms I experienced as a new mother, I

probably should have,” Ms Lauga said.

Through e-PIMH specialist psychiatrists in perinatal mental health and infant mental health work together with local health professionals. Referrals can be made by any service providers working with families in the perinatal period (up to 24 months after birth) and/or infants 0 – 5 years.

“e-PIMH also assists where gaps in the service system might arise and works

collaboratively with local and statewide services to support families,”

Elisabeth Hoehn, Medical Director of the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health said.

“The funding provided by Queensland Health is invaluable in helping build the

capacity of e-PIMH to provide timely advice and support to vulnerable families,

babies and young children, closer to home,” she said.