Community-Based Maternal Mental Health Respite and Support Services

 


Rob Warriner, the CEO of the Walsh Trust has given us this report on their innovative community based service for keeping mother and their babies in a safe, home like, nurturing and supportive environment


WALSH Trust has provided community-based, led and responsive mental health and well- being services since 1988.

In 2015 WALSH Trust established a sub-acute, maternal respite service, complemented by mobile, home-based / community support. This was based in a new purpose-built facility. These new services work in close partnership with maternal service teams and clinicians based at Waitemata and Auckland DHBs.

WALSH Trust maternal mental health respite services are community-based, and provide support and assistance for mothers and their babies.

The concept behind the service approach is simple – keeping mum and baby together in a safe, home-like, nurturing and supportive environment.

The service offered is short term (typically less than 5 days), for up to 6 mums and their babies. The respite service is staffed 24/7. Community support is provided usually during day time hours. Day activities are also offered – led by mothers.

The services are staffed by a mix of trained support workers and registered health professionals. Critically each have a particular passion, affinity, and for some, lived experience, in maternal mental health and well-being.

You can read their report here.

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