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.
Jump to: MBU | Inpatient Psychiatric Care | Crisis Teams | Community Mental Health Teams | HITH | Psychiatry | Helplines | Peer & Group SupportMother-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.
An unplanned pregnancy can bring shock, fear, or conflicting emotions. This article explores the mental health impact of unexpected pregnancy and honours the complexity of how you may be feeling.
Pregnancy and postpartum are times of heightened vulnerability to the onset or recurrence of bipolar disorder. Learn why early recognition, screening, and open dialogue matter for better perinatal mental health care.
Many mothers experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety ask themselves: “Why is this happening to me?” While the desire to understand is human, searching for a cause during a mental health crisis can sometimes deepen distress. This article explores why letting go of that question may open the door to support and recovery.
Have you ever been told to “be kinder to yourself” but not known where to start? For many mothers, self-compassion sounds simple yet feels surprisingly difficult — even selfish or wrong. This article explores the many myths that keep us stuck in self-criticism and guilt, and why gentleness toward ourselves matters.
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