The St John of God Burwood Hospital Mother and Baby Unit in the Inner West of Sydney provides perinatal mental health services for parents to help you develop a secure bond with your baby.
Perinatal and infant mental health is used to describe the psychological wellbeing of mothers and its impact on their quality of bonding with their baby. We encourage partners and families to help parents and infants through this difficult time.
Women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression during the perinatal period (pregnancy through to when their child is 3 years old) than any other time in their lives.
Intervention during this critical period is essential to improve the health of parents and their ability to nurture their child, and for infants to develop a secure attachment.
Our perinatal and infant mental health care
The St John of God Burwood Hospital Mother and Baby Unit is the only private specialist inpatient perinatal mental health service in New South Wales.
Our holistic approach to care addresses your physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, which are all important aspects of your recovery.
All our programs are delivered by experienced and caring perinatal specialists who take the time to understand your situation and tailor treatment or therapy to your needs.
We offer treatment for the whole spectrum of perinatal mental health issues, including postnatal depression and/or anxiety with prolonged episodes of sadness lasting two weeks or more, irritability or anxiety after the birth of your baby.
Our inpatient program
We offer the only private specialist inpatient program in NSW for parents and their babies up to 12 months of age at our Mother and Baby Unit.
Enquire about our perinatal mental health inpatient program
To make an enquiry please fill in the form below.
Perinatal mental health day programs
We offer a day program for parents experiencing perinatal and infant mental health issues which focuses on talking therapies, either in a group or individually with a psychiatrist.
Medicare-funded clinic
A Medicare-funded clinic is located at St John of God Burwood Hospital and offers a full range of treatment and support for parents experiencing perinatal infant mental health issues. Appointments are with a senior perinatal psychiatry trainee and a GP referral is needed.
Interested in our perinatal mental health day group program?
To make an enquiry please fill in the form below.
Private perinatal psychiatrists
You can choose to see one of our psychiatrists who specialise in helping people with perinatal mental health conditions. You can see a psychiatrist for individual appointments in combination with a day program or as an inpatient.
Additional perinatal mental health support
Community-based programs
St John of God Raphael Services provide access to free, or no out-of-pocket confidential counselling and support for mums, dads and families through the emotional challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood up to your child’s fourth birthday. Counselling and support for parents who are going through prenatal testing and pregnancy loss is also available.
Referrals and costs
For private perinatal psychiatrists
A referral from your general practitioner is needed to see a private psychiatrist. Fees are payable for appointments with a private psychiatrist. We recommend you call your psychiatrist's rooms to check this cost before your appointment.
For perinatal mental health day programs and inpatient programs
A GP referral is needed to access our day perinatal mental health treatment program as well as our Medicare-funded clinic.
The costs involved with enrolling in our programs is covered by most private health insurers. Any excess and/or co-payment depends on your level of cover – please check with your health fund.
The Medicare-funded clinic does not require additional payment for women who meet the Medicare criteria.
We can provide care through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Work Cover. We also welcome self-funded patients.
Enquire about perinatal mental health treatment
Please complete the form below and we will contact you during regular office hours (9 am to 5 pm).
If you’re experiencing a crisis or emergency, please call 000 for emergency services.