Farewell to a leader in service provision for emotional wellbeing among mums and dads

16 Sep 2019

16 September 2019 

Maya was appointed to the role of manager in 2010 and under her stewardship Raphael Services opened its first hub in Blacktown and has grown to offer antenatal as well as perinatal mental health care for parents, as well as specialised emotional support for dads.

“When people tell me that ‘if it hadn’t been for Raphael Services, I wouldn’t be alive’ – these are the meaningful moments that have made it all worthwhile and could not have been achieved without my team,” Maya said.

“On a professional level, I am proud that as a service we have been able to host four perinatal infant mental health conferences and successfully upskill trainee psychiatrists, giving them an opportunity to work in a PIMH environment.

“The best part has been that we have been acknowledged by the community as a leader in perinatal infant mental health, with the provision of early intervention services paramount in Raphael Services having such an extensive footprint in NSW."

Maya also acknowledged that being honoured as an adjunct professor for her work between university and industry had also been a proud moment.

St John of God Raphael Services National Director Helen McAllister said Maya had been instrumental in the growth of the service in NSW.

“Maya and her team have worked tirelessly with Primary Health Networks, GPs and other health services to provide quality specialised perinatal infant mental health care for families in the state,” Helen said.

“I thank her for her service and for always exemplifying St John of God Values throughout her tenure.”

Maya’s last day will be 18 September, after which she hopes to get back into academia.