Bulletin

Issue: January/February 2006

News

Mentoring scheme helps new mothers

MOSAIC – a partnership between the La Trobe University Mother and Child Health Research Centre and other organisations to help new mothers and pregnant women in Melbourne’s north west – has been launched by the State Minister for Women’s Affairs, Ms Mary Delahunty.

‘The project will help disadvantaged and vulnerable women in the community,’ Ms Delahunty said. ‘It connects new mothers and mothers-to-be with women who have experienced the ups and downs of motherhood and can offer valuable support and advice. Having a mentor can be a powerful way of helping women reduce stress and gain confidence.’

An NHMRC funded community randomised trial based on a successful five-year pilot headed by Dr Angela Taft, Dr Rhonda Small and Professor Judith Lumley from the La Trobe Mother and Child Health Research Centre, the $470,000 project has the potential to help up to 350 women and their children.

Dr Taft said MOSAIC stands for ‘Mother’s Advocates in the Community’ and is being supported by more than 30 GPs and 90 maternal and child health workers who will be trained to identify women in need and refer them to MOSAIC staff who then link them to mentors.

Other partners in the project include the University of Melbourne, Divisions of General Practice, Women’s Health West, Women’s Health in the North and local governments.