Mothers, parents, partners and healthcare professionals are being encouraged to write down their experience of birth trauma including in pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum to the NSW Upper House Inquiry into Birth Trauma.
We are painfully aware this Inquiry process may be resurfacing a lot of emotions and memories for people which may be causing distress. We encourage you to take care of yourself above all else.
Whilst the Inquiry is important, so is your mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual health. To help you through this period, we have listed a range of services in the Illawarra Shoalhaven below. The list of local practitioners at the end of the blog is not a complete list and is up to date as of 22nd July 2023. We are not affiliated and do not endorse these practitioners. It is each individual’s responsibility to research and ensure the service or practitioner is right for you.
Emergency Assistance
000 – If you or someone you care about is in crisis and you think that immediate help is needed, call triple zero (000) or go to your local hospital emergency department.
Lifeline 13 11 14 or Text 0477 13 11 14 – Provides 24 hour access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services. They also offer online chat and a text messaging service, find out more on their website.
Suicide callback service 1300 659 467 – Provides 24 hour crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide. Find out more on their website.
Psychological Support
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) 1300 726 306 – Provides free national telephone support counselling from Monday to Saturday. They have information on antenatal and postnatal depression including resources in 40 languages on their website.
Mental Health Line 1800 011 511. Mental Health Line is a NSW 24/7 statewide phone services which links people with NSW mental health services.
Domestic Violence helpline 1800 737 732 or website. 1800RESPECT is available 24/7 to support people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence.
Illawarra-based Perinatal Counsellors and Psychologists
The following list of practitioners is based on information we have at the time. If you notice a psychologist or counsellor who offers perinatal support is missing please email us at betterbirthsillawarra@gmail.com.
Mamabase Illawarra - Psychology
Illawarra Women’s Mental Health
Banner Image taken from PANDA Website.org.au/