Support groups to suit you.

There are a number of post-natal support groups popping up over Australia. Queensland is the latest area to conduct pnd support groups and so far is having enormous success and very positive feedback from them.

Hopefully in the not too distant future we can get some up and running in Melbourne as well. I know that some maternal health centres do run workshops, but as far as I know they are not regular support groups.

I would love to hear from anyone who is in a pnd support group, so that I can add the information to the website.  Otherwise those who would like to see a pnd support group up and running in their area, please let me know and maybe together we can get something happening. Hopefully we can start getting some real support for all you women out there who need it.

In the meantime get access to as much help as you can and if you don't know where to look, please feel free to email me and I can do some research for you in your local area. Alternatively, look under the help section, 'state by state' or news section for 'alternative therapies.'

My email address if you need more information is melinda@mothersinneed.com

1. The first group that I have been told about is POSIE: Perinatal Outreach, Support, Information & Education.  They are an entirely volunteer run support group for perinatal mood disorders and thus far have had about 20 women attend support groups out of the 5 groups they've run thus far.   Twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday of the month, they run a group with volunteer facilitators. The support group is based in the Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai area of Sydney and the web address is www.posie.org.au

2. This lady Carla Anderson is a psychologist specialising in PND in Gladstone Qld. There is a fee for service however medical rebates are available. She facilitated PND support groups in Toowoomba for the PND support group association, and provided telephone peer support for mums over a period of almost 2 years (voluntarily), having suffered PND herself. So, this is one of her passions, hence why she now specialises as a psych. Carla's contact number is 0414959047.

3 . This course is organised through Child and Youth Health - Held at the Glenside Hospital - Part of the Helen Mayo Clinic in Adelaide.  It is a free course.  The course co-ordinator is Neil Underwood - A mental health nurse with the Womens and childrens Hospital, Adelaide.  You will need a referral by your local G.P or Child and Youth Health Nurse. The program goes for 9 weeks and usually starts at the beginning of each term.   Helen Mayo House, C/- Glenside Hospital Fullarton         Rd, GLENSIDE   (08) 8303 1451

4 . This group is a specific 10 week course. The support group is run by Hornsby Hospital services, Sydney. You need to go through an interview process after seeking help and getting councelling at your Early Childhood Centre and getting help from your GP. I am not sure how often they run them, but they only take a max of 8 girls and due to the limited places, they take people who are quite ill and who would benefit from the group thing (not all people respond or are ready for group therapy). It is the same group of 8 girls every week and they explore their situation and ways to get better. Care for the babies and children needs to be organized but there is a Day Care place just across the road.

5. This lady is a Social Worker who will be running support groups for women with PND in Melbourne's West. She has just commenced work with the Caroline Chisholm Pregnancy Support Service and at this point, she is orienting herself to the job and finding out what resources are already "out there", preparing to set up for their first group (each PND group runs for one quarter) The society has been running PND support groups at its various locations for several years and people are more than welcome to call and speak with her or another Social Worker. Cath can be contacted on (03) 9370 5122

6. Louise Baggaley is an enrolled nurse at the Brisbane Centre for post-natal disorders.  They are located at Belmont Private Hospital on the southside of Brisbane and are the only mother-baby unit in Queensland, designed to treat post-natal disorders ranging from adjustment and anxiety disorders, post-natal depression through to more severe psychiartic disorders such as postpartum psychosis.

They have inpatient and outpatient services including a CBT program aimed at postnatal disorders and also have a 24hr contact line which rings direct to the ward where a nurse will take your call.  Contact details are Mary Williams, unit Director is Dr Enno Taemets and contact details are below:
Brisbane Centre for Postnatal Disorders. Belmont Private Hospital
1220 Creek Rd, Carindale, Q 4152. ph (07) 3398 0238. Fx (07) 3398 0254

7 . Lisa Lindley is a psychologist and has been running a Postnatal support group on the Sunshine Coast for the past 18 mths.  We meet once a week for 8 weeks, and afterwards on a social basis.  Anyone interested can contact me via email or on my mobile.  The next course starts in July, and judging by the feedback so far, we are having a wonderful sucess rate!  Also, let me know if you would like to get in touch with any of our members. Lisa Lindley  Psychologist  Buderim  mob. 0417540820  lisa.lindley@optusnet.com.au