Celebrating a decade of service provision in NSW

20 Aug 2020

St John of God Raphael Services offers psychiatry-led therapy and support for parents from conception through to their baby's fourth birthday, enabling their families to thrive.

The early beginnings of St John of God Raphael Services NSW originated in St John of God Richmond Hospital before moving to its own site in Blacktown in August 2010. 

The last decade has seen the service expand from opening a site in Blacktown, to now operating in Hawkesbury, Springwood and Mount Druitt with 12 caregivers providing mental health care to parents in these local communities. 

National Director Raphael Services, Helen McAllister, said she was proud of the service and its position as a leading provider in mental health during the perinatal period (during pregnancy and after childbirth) with the service especially focussed on early intervention and attachment. 

“As I reflect back on a decade of service provision, I would like to acknowledge our caregivers – those with us now and those who worked with us over the years – for providing quality, client-centred care to families in NSW,” she said. 

“The work we do could not have been possible without our compassionate and dedicated staff, and also the support and funding from the Nepean Blue Mountains and Wentwest Primary Health Networks.” 

Over the years, the service has focused on supporting new fathers by raising awareness of the one in ten Australian dads who experience perinatal anxiety and depression.  Specific events have been held for dads and other male role models who have welcomed a new baby into their lives. 

Administration Officer, Kathy Day, has been with the service since it opened in 2010 and says she is proud to work for an organisation that prioritises caring for vulnerable families in the community.

“Raphael Services is a wonderful place to work. I particularly enjoy welcoming new clients and trying to make them feel at ease,” Kathy said. 

More recently, the service has been able to respond rapidly to the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting its service offering to telehealth sessions via phone and video, allowing patients to receive vital early-intervention psychiatry-led support from the comfort of their own home.  

St John of God Raphael Services is a national service operating in Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. A GP referral is needed to access the service. Seek more information or call 1800 292 292.