Tameka's Story
Access to Emergency Accommodation kept Tameka's family together
When Tameka and her partner dreamed of starting a family, they never imagined their world would feel like it was crashing down around them. But as Tameka struggled with severe postnatal depression and anxiety, it became their reality—a reality shared by many families, with 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experiencing postnatal depression.
Initially, Tameka convinced herself that her struggles were just part of adjusting to life with her newborn daughter, Octavia. She tried to push through each day, even as her world felt darker and heavier, unable to shake the overwhelming emotions and anxiety that had a relentless grip on her. “It was just really hard to admit,” she would later recall.
“I thought it was normal, and everything was fine. But it clearly wasn’t. I can’t even think of words to describe it. I honestly thought if I asked for help, Octavia would be taken away from me, I would be judged, and no one would understand.”
Her partner, her biggest supporter, could see the toll it was taking and gently encouraged her to reach out for help. With his support, Tameka finally made the call to the PANDA Hotline*, setting off a life-changing journey to the Lavender Mother and Baby Unit on the Gold Coast.
The Lavender Mother and Baby Unit is an inpatient mental health facility designed for mothers with babies under 12 months. Here, women facing significant mental health challenges, including severe postnatal depression, anxiety, and other serious conditions, receive compassionate, specialised treatment and care with their babies. This unit offers physical, psychological and emotional safety for a foundation for healing.
Lyndall Healey, Senior Social Worker at the Lavender Mother and Baby Unit, emphasises the importance of this type of support, noting how transformative it is not only for mothers but for entire families.
“It’s so important because, with the right treatment, women get better,” Lyndall explained. “Without it, these conditions can linger for years, affect future pregnancies, and make recovery so much harder. Being admitted with their baby is crucial—not only for recovery but for bonding and attachment, which are essential in early motherhood and infant development. The gold standard for mental health treatment is to admit mothers with their babies. Everything we do aims to strengthen the bond between mum and baby, and build a secure attachment for the baby. The encouraging thing is, mums get better, their bond develops, and they go on to have more children. The whole family benefits.”
Little Octavia spends quality time with her dad in the Lavender Unit.
Living in a small town in rural Queensland, Tameka felt daunted by the idea of traveling to a bustling city so far from home. She was extremely anxious about flying with her two-month-old daughter, and the thought of navigating a busy airport and the M1 motorway felt overwhelming. “It was scary and nerve-wracking,” Tameka admitted.
Upon arriving at the Lavender Unit, Tameka was flooded with emotions.
“I was shocked,” she shared. “I was honestly thinking it was going to be a full mental ward-type scenario, but it wasn’t. It was very family-friendly; you had everything you needed for your baby. It was so comforting.”
She soon realised the staff were there to nurture and support her, helping to ease her anxieties and providing a safe, healing environment. Tameka’s diagnosis—severe postnatal depression and anxiety—soon followed, finally giving a name to her struggle and a way forward.
Thanks to the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation Emergency Accommodation Service, Tameka’s partner was able to travel with her and stay close by for her first week in the Lavender Unit. In those initial days, his presence made a tremendous difference.
“Just having someone I knew there with me in a new place to support me during those first few days really helped,” Tameka shared.
Tameka and her partner celebrate Octavia's first bithrday together.
Lyndall highlighted the importance of the Foundation’s support and Emergency Accommodation Service:
“It is so crucial. Imagine if you have just become a father, and you can’t stay with your partner or your newborn baby. Fathers, too, suffer from being separated from their family. All their instincts are to be there, but instead, they are saying goodbye. Dads need to bond with their babies too and are extra vulnerable during this time. A father is twice as likely to develop postnatal depression if his partner already has it.”
Having family nearby significantly improves recovery outcomes, Lyndall explained. “Dads get to know what’s important for the mother’s recovery,” she said. “They begin to understand the mother’s mental illness, what she’s experiencing, and how they can support her. And the mother benefits from sharing the care of the baby. That weight of responsibility is lightened, and it’s so emotionally important for a couple to go through it together.”
When it was time to leave the Lavender Unit, Tameka felt a mixture of nerves and gratitude. She had learned essential coping skills and gained tools she could rely on in moments of overwhelm, finding a newfound sense of hope.
Now, with Octavia nearly 15 months old, Tameka’s bond with her daughter has grown into something precious. Daily routines feel manageable, and Tameka finds joy in simple moments like watching Octavia play at the park, family visits to the local weir on hot days, and embracing the full beauty of motherhood.
Octavia and Tameka love getting out and about, here is Octavia at the local pool and park.
Looking back, Tameka feels immense gratitude for the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, knowing their support was pivotal in her recovery. “Without the Foundation’s help, my baby and I would have been all alone. My partner’s presence really helped my recovery, and I’m so grateful.”
She hopes her story will inspire others to reach out for help. “It’s scary, and it is a big leap, but you just have to push through it,” she shared, wanting others to know they don’t have to go through it alone. As the holiday season approaches, Tameka looks forward to being home for Christmas and celebrating with her family, embracing the quiet, simple moments that now bring her the most joy.
This Christmas, you can make a meaningful difference for families, like Tameka’s, in critical need by donating to our Christmas Appeal. A donation of $140 can provide emergency accommodation for a family of three, giving them a safe place to stay close to the hospital during their most vulnerable moments. Please donate today.
*PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline is Australia’s only free national helpline for people affected by changes to their mental health and emotional wellbeing during the perinatal period.
If you are an expecting parent, new parent, or support person looking for safe, caring, and confidential space to talk, the PANDA National Helpline is available on:
1300 726 306
Monday to Friday, 9am - 7.30pm
Saturday, 9am – 4pm (AEST/AEDT)
Please be informed that PANDA is not a crisis service.
If you are having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself, it’s important to get help immediately. You can ring the Acute Care Team, 1300 64 2255 (1300 MH CALL), this is a 24/7 crisis support service. Or you can also call Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7).
CALL 000 for police and ambulance if you or someone else are in immediate danger.
