Blog

Rural Health Connect is partnering with community and health organisations across the country to connect clients affected by Perinatal Loss with expert and culturally safe psychology sessions.  

The Rural Health Connect Perinatal Grief and Loss program supports women and their families affected by Perinatal Loss (miscarriage, still birth, termination, and neonatal death), is bulk billed without waiting lists, and is funded by the Australian Government as a priority action of the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan. 

The sessions are conducted by psychologists who have completed specialist perinatal bereavement and culturally safe engagement training in partnership with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence and the Australian Association of Psychologists. 

The program is open to anyone who has experienced perinatal loss. Rural Health Connect is particularly focused on delivering the service to a number of higher risk populations across Australia to whom perinatal loss is experienced at higher rates. These populations include migrant and refugee communities, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women and families in rural and remote areas, and women under 20 years of age.     

Rural Health Connect director Megan Gomez said getting the right help after experiencing perinatal loss is critical.  

“The experience is different for everyone, however it can be a very isolating experience, particularly when people are also located in a remote area or face language barriers."

“Some people may seek support straight away but others may want to speak to a psychologist months or years down the track, when something else happens in their life that brings up old emotions” she said. 

“We are so pleased to be able to provide this really important service to women and families and are working hard to make sure the support gets to the people who need it most, with the support of our wonderful referral partners.”  

Psychologists from across Australia have completed specialist Perinatal Loss bereavement training and are available to connect with clients for appointments through telehealth on the Rural Health Connect platform.    

Free interpreters are available for appointments. We also have supporting information available in Vietnamese, Urdu, Arabic, Punjabi, Burmese, Hindi, Swahili, and Tagalog. 

The best way to connect clients affected by Perinatal Loss is to refer them to Rural Health Connect directly at https://ruralhealthconnect.com.au/perinatal-loss/.   

We will guide them through their appointment bookings and provide support throughout the whole journey.  

Clients do not need a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to be referred to us. Referrers or clients themselves can simply fill out this form and we will organise a Mental Health Treatment Plan with our own GPs so we can provide support with ease.  

To partner with us to deliver this program to your community/clients, please get in touch:  

Kate@ruralhealthconnect.com.au or 0400 017 617