The Albanese Labor Government is providing $5.2 million for frontline miscarriage support services to deliver care for women and families who have experienced miscarriage.
The heartbreak of miscarriage can have lasting impacts on a woman’s physical and mental health throughout her life. It is estimated that up to one in four confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage and each year in Australia, more than 100,000 families experience miscarriage.
Through an open and competitive grant opportunity three organisations were successful and will provide national, evidence-based, culturally safe bereavement care and support to women and families who have been impacted by miscarriage.
The grants are:
- $4 million to Pink Elephants Support Network to provide specialised, early intervention care and support to women and their families who have experienced miscarriage. The activities will be delivered in partnership with the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence (Stillbirth CRE) and Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA).
- $887,600 to Red Nose Australia to deliver the National Miscarriage Lived Experience Initiative. It will implement a continuity of care model and referral pathway for GPs and develop GP education and targeted training focusing on bereavement complexities after miscarriage. Funding will also develop and test a specialised miscarriage bereavement support program for siblings impacted by miscarriage.
- $380,400 to Africare Community Services to deliver the Amal Kabir: Big Hope Miscarriage Support for East African Women project, which will provide comprehensive, culturally sensitive miscarriage support services tailored to meet the specific needs of East African migrant and refugee women.
These organisations will ensure bereaved women and families can access support at a time when they are at most risk of isolation and psychological distress.
These grants are part of a $9.5 million dedicated funding package for miscarriage, which includes funding for bereavement support, awareness raising, education and date.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Ged Kearney MP:
“Miscarriage is yet another area of women’s health that has been overlooked, with some women encouraged to just move past what in reality can be a very traumatic experience.
“To experience miscarriage is to experience loss. A loss that can lead to complicated grief, increased mental health issues, and extended periods out of the workforce with associated losses of income. I believe everyone deserves care during a period as difficult as miscarriage.
“We know that some Australian communities are less likely than others to seek support, or know about supports available, after a miscarriage. In a country as diverse as Australia, this isn’t good enough. The Albanese Labor Government is working to ensure healthcare is accessible to all.”
Quotes attributable to Samantha Payne, Founder and CEO, Pink Elephants:
“I am beyond excited to finally be able to meet the true needs of our community to scale our support services through the delivery of a global first digital circle of support dedicated to early pregnancy loss community needs”
“Acknowledgement is at the heart of our work as such I wish to acknowledge all of the babies lives lost to miscarriage and the brave women that shared their experiences with me over the years and publicly to make this funding possible. I of course want to acknowledge and thank The Hon Ged Kearney MP for listening to me and our communities needs and delivering this funding support that will have a long-lasting impact on tens of thousands of Australians each year”