Catherine’s House

Dedicated perinatal mental health support

Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families is Queensland’s first integrated perinatal mental health service, featuring a dedicated In-patient Unit with 10 rooms.

There are eight rooms for public patients and two for private patients where parents can stay with their babies while receiving treatment and care.

The In-patient Unit delivers specialist support for parents experiencing severe depression, anxiety and other mental health diagnoses in the first year of their baby’s arrival.

Co-designed by parents with lived experience and a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, the In-patient Unit offers parents and families a safe space for healing, recovery and connection while improving their mental health and relationship with their baby.

Our services

Dedicated in-patient Unit

Where 10 parents can stay with their babies while receiving treatment and care.

Parent Support Centre

For mothers and babies up to six months after birth.

Private Specialists

Appointments with private practitioners.

The arrival of a new baby can be the most exciting and challenging time in your parenting journey. Mental wellbeing plays a vital role in your ability to develop confidence and connection as a parent. Catherine’s House Mother Baby Unit has been created to be a home away from home for new parents and families. It is a safe place for you to recover and connect with your baby while restoring your mental wellbeing.

Catherine's House is a tri- level service which has a dedicated 10 bed inpatient unit that accommodates both public and private admissions. We also have outpatient services designed to support you in the transition of the first year of a new baby’s life.

What we offer:

Catherine’s House Mother and Baby Unit provides short-term, specialist mental health care for parents and their babies (up to 12 months old). Our service supports Queensland parents who are experiencing significant mental health challenges that make it difficult to manage daily life or care for their baby safely at home.

Parents may be admitted when their mental health needs cannot be met in the community. Conditions such as severe depression, anxiety, or psychotic illnesses are common reasons for admission.

During a stay, parents and their infants are supported together in a safe, recovery-focused environment that promotes wellness, bonding, and confidence in parenting. The program combines therapeutic care, medical support, and practical assistance to help parents work toward recovery and strengthen their connection with their baby.

How we work:

At Catherine’s House, we offer holistic, family-centred care that supports both you and your baby. Our team works with you to understand your goals, build on your strengths, and support your recovery in a way that feels personal and meaningful. We have a team of medical, nursing , allied health, peer support , administration and service support officers across our three level service to support you and your baby.

Who we support:

Catherine’s House Mother Baby Unit is available to eligible Queensland parents who meet the following criteria:

Mental healthcare needs that cannot be adequately met by community care
A diagnosis of:
- Severe depression
- Severe anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Psychosis including postpartum psychosis
- Bipolar affective disorder; or
- Complex mental health problems which may include a personality disorder, history of trauma, or (past but not current) substance misuse in remission that is impacting significantly on parenting
Being the primary carer of a baby / babies under the age of 12 months
Willing to focus on parenting confidence or attachment relationship in the context of mental health difficulties

Who can refer

Parents can be referred to Catherine’s House In-patient Unit by:

Mental health clinicians
General Practitioners
Psychiatrists
Obstetricians

Catchment criteria*

Metro North
Metro South
West Moreton
Wide Bay
Sunshine Coast
Mackay
Townsville
North West
Children's Health Queensland

*All other Queensland catchments can refer to Lavender Mother and Baby Unit.

How to refer

Click here for information on how to refer patients to Catherine's House

To download our referral form:

Right click on the form link shown below (instead of opening it)
Select ‘Save link as’
Choose file path and click Save
Right click on the PDF file from your saved folder
Select 'Open with' and choose Adobe Reader

Download referral form

Find out more about Catherine's House treatments, programs and referrals

Frequently asked questions

Can my baby stay with me?

Yes. Parents and babies stay together throughout admission in a purpose built environment . You continue to provide all cares to your baby during the admission with the team providing support when needed. The program is designed to support your relationship and help you feel more confident and connected in your parenting. Your baby will need a brief wellness check prior to your admission to ensure your baby is well.

How long is a typical stay?

The length of stay varies depending on individual needs, but most families stay for two to four weeks. Your care team will discuss your goals and review progress regularly.

What does a typical day look like?

Days include a mix of individual therapeutic sessions, group activities, dedicated rest and unstructured time. You’ll have time to focus on recovery while receiving guidance and support from staff. Visitors are welcome to attend during visiting hours which occur daily from (4 – 8 pm on weekdays, 12 – 8pm on weekends). We have a weekly family BBQ that is designed to promote family-centred care and support families coming together in Catherine's House in an informal way in our purpose built garden area .

What types of treatment or support are offered?

Care is tailored to each family and may include psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, social work, physiotherapy and parent–infant therapy. Support focuses on both mental wellness and parenting confidence. We also have a team of peer support workers who are parents with lived experience of mental health difficulties and can support your wellbeing as part of the multidisciplinary team.

How do I get referred?

Referrals are usually made through your GP, psychiatrist, or community mental health team. You can also contact Catherine’s House to discuss eligibility and referral options.

Can partners or other family members be involved?

Yes. We encourage partner and family involvement where possible, as it helps support recovery and strengthens family relationships. We can accommodate partners staying onsite where clinically appropriate and determined by the care team.

What should I bring for my stay?

Clothes for you and baby. Comfortable clothing is key, and layers work best to adapt to the changing temperatures, keeping in mind that the ward can sometimes be cool due to the air-conditioning. Laundry facilities are on-site for your convenience.
Toiletries (parent)- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, personal hygiene items, hairbrush, non- aerosol deodorant (no glass) and nursing pads for breastfeeding mothers.
Toiletries for baby – nappies, baby wipes, creams, lotions, body wash and shampoo. You may wish to bring baby-friendly laundry detergent if you do not wish to use the detergent provided.
Any comforter you use to settle baby
Your baby’s favourite toys and books that can be easily cleaned (We also have toys, rockers and books for baby)
Other personal items to increase your comfort – favourite pillow, mattress topper, blanket/doona.
Items to assist your peaceful sleep – eye masks, noise cancelling earplugs

How much does it cost?

Catherine’s House has 8 public beds. There are no costs for eligible parents and babies admitted through the public system. Patients with health insurance can be admitted privately.

What happens after I leave?

Before discharge, we’ll work with you to co-develop a plan , linking you with community services and follow-up care to help you continue recovery at home. Catherine’s House Parent Support Centre provides community and outpatient support which your support team might recommend you access on discharge.

Referrals

The referral and intake process for Catherine’s House prioritises accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that services are based on the needs, location, and preferences of the mother and family.

Referrals are accepted from mental health services, GPs, psychiatrists, paediatricians and obstetricians. Other health care professionals, community organisations, families and parents will be supported to access their GP or acute mental health care service to facilitate the referral process.

While both services primarily provide care to families within designated catchment areas, they maintain a commitment to inclusivity and do not exclude anyone who requires support.

Using the catchment areas as a guide, intake assessments focus on understanding the specific needs of the mother and family, considering factors such as proximity to the services, the family’s preferences for care, and the unique circumstances requiring intervention.

This person-centred approach ensures that families are matched with the most suitable service, fostering a supportive environment that aligns with individual needs and circumstances.