Residents of Mackay and the surrounding region now have access to White Cloud Foundation’s two leading services – Meals for Mums and White Cloud Tele-Mental Health.
Attending the launch today at the Mackay Base Hospital were Ms Julieanne Gilbert, Member for Mackay and Assistant Minister for Health, Cr Greg Williamson, Mayor of Mackay, Mr Darryl Camilleri, Chair of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Lisa Davies Jones, Chief Executive of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service and Professor Adam Scott, Chair of White Cloud Foundation.
Professor Adam Scott, said the Meals for Mums program will give practical mental health support to Mackay’s new and expecting mothers struggling with perinatal depression by providing them with home-delivered, nutritionally balanced meals.
“At White Cloud Foundation, we know a little support when a mother is struggling can make a big difference. Free home delivered nutritious meals and other practical help can mean a lot for the whole family,” said Professor Scott.
“We will work with nurses, midwives, social workers at the Mackay Base Hospital and other health care providers to identify mums who need some extra support, connect them with our service including accessing free meals.
“Last year, Meals for Mum’s referrals increased 66 per cent due to COVID-19, with 441 families supported and over 9,200 meals delivered. This year the program will help around 600 mums across Queensland, with well over 10,000 home-delivered meals.
Ms Julieanne Gilbert, Member for Mackay and Assistant Minister for Health said she was pleased to see the Meals for Mums program now supporting the Mackay community.
“All new and expecting mums deserve a little help and we are pleased this program from the White Cloud Foundation is there to lend a hand.”
“In 2020 the Palaszczuk Government committed a $250,000 grant to support this program being extended around Queensland, and we are pleased to see Meals for Mums now up and running in Mackay,” said Ms Gilbert.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Lisa Davies Jones said the Meals for Mums service is an invaluable boost for mums.
“Pregnant women and new mums are often isolated, lacking in extended family supports,” she said.
“This wonderful service from White Cloud Foundation will assist new and expecting mums with the most practical of all supports – nutritious meals to nourish the body and the mind.
The Meals for Mums program saves these new mothers the time, energy and expense of shopping, cooking, and the cleaning up involved with meal preparation at one of the most tiring times of a woman’s life.”
White Cloud Tele-Mental Health also available in Mackay
Prof Scott said White Cloud Foundation’s recently launched, free Tele-Mental Health service is also available to all Mackay residents battling depression and anxiety.
“We have assembled a talented team of 40 allied healthcare professionals, from psychologists, social workers to exercise physiologists, mental health nurses and dieticians to provide tailored, holistic, clinical and practical care to treat depression from multiple fronts,” he said.
“This exceptional and experienced group of specialists works together to develop individualised treatment plans to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduce risk factors, build resilience and provide patients with strategies to better manage their mental and emotional health.
“The service is delivered via technology using telehealth consultations (via phone or video calls), so Queenslanders can access the right treatment at the right time and at the right place.”
To access White Cloud’s free Tele-Mental Health service, just call 07 3155 3456. The service is available to anyone seeking help for depression and anxiety. No referral or Mental Health Plan is required.