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Queenslands first Gidget House officially opens at Greenslopes Private Hospital
Dec 06, 2024
A new service is now available for parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, with Queensland’s first Gidget House officially opening at Greenslopes Private Hospital.
Parents in south-east Queensland struggling with early parenthood can now access GP-referred, free, specialist perinatal counselling sessions either face-to-face or via telehealth counselling.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, The Hon Emma McBride MP, officially opened Gidget House Greenslopes at Greenslopes Private Hospital on Thursday 5 December, and welcomed the service for potential, expectant and new parents to the area.
The Hon Emma McBride MP said: “We know that up to one in 5 women and one in 10 men will experience anxiety and/or depression in the perinatal period up to 12 months after their child is born.
“It is a priority for the Albanese Labor Government to ensure that potential, expectant and new parents in Brisbane have access to free and specialist care through organisations like Gidget Foundation Australia.
“This fantastic new service in Greenslopes will provide the care and support that local parents and families need.”
CEO of Gidget Foundation Australia, Arabella Gibson, said Gidget House Greenslopes is representative of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting potential, expectant and new parents nationwide.
“The establishment of the first Gidget House in Brisbane is a landmark development for us. We know that parents in Queensland are struggling to afford the perinatal mental health support they need, which is why it is so important for us to expand our services to reach these parents and decrease the barriers to accessing care,” Ms Gibson said.
“As part of our commitment to supporting the emotional wellbeing of potential, expectant and new parents across the country, we’re hopeful our expansion to Queensland will provide a safe space for open conversations with specialist perinatal clinicians.”
CEO of Greenslopes Private Hospital, Justin Greenwell, said the collaboration between Gidget Foundation Australia and Greenslopes Private Hospital is crucial to improving support for parents in Brisbane.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Gidget Foundation Australia to expand the support we provide to potential, expectant and new parents in Brisbane. Our hospital has supported the health and wellbeing of our community for over eight decades, and we understand the value of tailored support throughout the parenthood journey. It is our pleasure to be expanding our maternity services to provide increased visibility and expert clinical support for parents with PNDA through this invaluable service.”
