REAL STORIES

Mental Health Services

Lived Experiences of Psychiatric, Community, and Peer Support

Explore real stories of mothers navigating hospital care, Mother-Baby Units (MBU), community mental health teams, and helplines in Australia. These stories highlight the experiences of seeking and receiving professional mental health and peer support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Within these services, mothers were often supported to access a range of therapies and treatments — from counselling and medication to approaches like EMDR and ECT — which you can explore in Therapies & Treatments.

Mother-and-Baby Units (MBU)

Stories from mothers admitted to mother–and-baby units during the perinatal period. These accounts describe living on the unit with a baby, daily routines, support from staff, and the experience of receiving intensive psychiatric care while continuing to parent.

Inpatient Psychiatric Care

Stories from mothers admitted to psychiatric hospitals or wards during pregnancy or postpartum. These experiences explore being separated from home or baby, the structure of inpatient care, and the routines of daily life on a mental health ward.

Crisis Teams

Stories from mothers who were supported by crisis assessment and treatment teams (CATT). These experiences describe urgent mental health support, rapid assessments, and short-term care during periods of acute distress.

Community Mental Health Teams

Stories from mothers accessing community-based and specialist perinatal and infant mental health services (PIMHS), including support from social workers. These accounts describe the practical support involved in coordinating care, both in the community and after hospital.

Hospital-in-the-Home (HITH)

Stories from mothers receiving hospital-level care at home. These accounts describe regular visits from healthcare professionals and what it’s like to be treated intensively while remaining in a home environment.

Psychiatry

Stories from mothers working with psychiatrists during pregnancy or postpartum. These accounts explore diagnosis, medication decisions, adjusting dosages over time, and what it’s like to attend ongoing psychiatric appointments.

Helplines

Stories from mothers who reached out to helplines during pregnancy or postpartum. These accounts describe moments of crisis or overwhelm, what it’s like to speak to someone immediately, and how these calls can act as a first step toward further support.

Peer & Group Support

Stories from mothers who found support through peer-led spaces, as well as structured group settings where mothers connect through shared experience. This includes support groups and women’s circles. These experiences describe connecting with others, sharing openly, and hearing from people who have had similar experiences.

Explore More Perinatal Mental Health Stories by Topic.

Explore Articles on Maternal Mental Health.

information • advocacy • storytelling • community