Karitane

Karitane Supporting families on their parenting journey. Together, we'll know what to do. Our promise to you is together we will know what to do!

In our 100 years of working alongside parents, we continue to listen to their needs, guide them to their goals, train and advocate on their behalf for greater support. Karitane fosters meaningful partnerships with mums, dads, and carers to provide knowledge and support on the unique challenges of parenting. Because we understand the first 5 years of raising a child can come with challenges, and parents should never have to learn alone.
Our free services are evidence-based and delivered by a team of child and family health nurses, paediatricians, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists around
the topics of:
• Sleep & Settling
• Establishing Routines
• Feeding & Nutrition
• Toddler Behaviour
• Pre and Postnatal Anxiety and Depression

Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅⁠⁠We hope your day is filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with your loved ones. ❤️
24/12/2025

Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅⁠

We hope your day is filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with your loved ones. ❤️

A gentle reminder for parents this holiday season 🧡You don’t need to do everything.You don’t need to feel festive.If you...
23/12/2025

A gentle reminder for parents this holiday season 🧡

You don’t need to do everything.
You don’t need to feel festive.

If you need parenting support, our Karitane Careline is open through the holidays.

📞 Careline hours:

Wed 24 Dec | 9am–4pm
Mon 29 Dec | 9am–4pm
Tue 30 Dec | 9am–4pm
Fri 2 Jan | 9am–4pm
Sat 3 Jan | 9am–3:30pm

Call 1300 227 464 to speak with an experienced Child and Family Health Nurse. 🧡

The holiday season can bring a mix of emotions — joy, tiredness, overwhelm, and everything in between 🧡If parenting feel...
21/12/2025

The holiday season can bring a mix of emotions — joy, tiredness, overwhelm, and everything in between 🧡

If parenting feels a little harder right now, you don’t have to do it alone.

📞 Karitane Careline holiday hours:
Mon 22 Dec | 9am–4pm
Tue 23 Dec | 9am–4pm
Wed 24 Dec | 9am–4pm
Mon 29 Dec | 9am–4pm
Tue 30 Dec | 9am–4pm
Fri 2 Jan | 9am–4pm
Sat 3 Jan | 9am–3:30pm

Call 1300 227 464 to speak with an experienced Child and Family Health Nurse. 🧡

Our Careline is here to support you through the holidays. 🧡⁠⁠Call 1300 227 464 to speak with an experienced child and fa...
19/12/2025

Our Careline is here to support you through the holidays. 🧡⁠

Call 1300 227 464 to speak with an experienced child and family health nurse. ⁠

We're open: ⁠
💙 December 22nd, 23rd, 24th & 30th - 9am -4pm⁠
🧡 January 2nd - 9am - 4pm⁠
💙 January 3rd - 9am - 3.30pm⁠

All other Karitane services will be closed from COB Friday 19th December, reopening on Monday January 5th, 2026.

The holidays can bring a lot of noise — plans, opinions, expectations, and comparison. 💙But here’s your reminder: you’re...
16/12/2025

The holidays can bring a lot of noise — plans, opinions, expectations, and comparison. 💙

But here’s your reminder: you’re allowed to do things your way.

Your family doesn’t need perfect moments — they need you.
Rest when you can. Say no when you need to. Set realistic expectations.
Doing your best looks different every day, and that’s okay.

Be kind to yourself this holiday season. You’re doing enough. 🧡

🌟 Applications Now Open! 🌟Are you a parent aged 25 or under and interested in studying Community Services?The Karitane Y...
04/12/2025

🌟 Applications Now Open! 🌟
Are you a parent aged 25 or under and interested in studying Community Services?
The Karitane Young Parents Program is now recruiting! 🧡👶🎓

This free program gives you the chance to learn in a supportive environment with other young parents — with childcare and lunch provided.

Here’s what you’ll get:
✨ 1-on-1 case management and personalised support
✨ A 6-month training course, one day per week at Karitane
✨ Graduate with a Certificate III in Community Services (TAFE NSW)
✨ Access to future study + education pathways
✨ Opportunity to be paid to present to high school students about real-life parenting
✨ Free training + free onsite childcare for successful applicants

📍 Location: Campbelltown
🕙 Time: 9.30am–2.30pm, one day per week

Interested or know someone who might be?
📞 Contact Sarah Jane Stoicescu: 0407 942 397
📧 sarahjane.stoicescu@health.nsw.gov.au

‘Even though postpartum psychosis is rare, I have still found lots of comfort and healing talking with other mums in the...
28/11/2025

‘Even though postpartum psychosis is rare, I have still found lots of comfort and healing talking with other mums in the community about their experiences, struggles and joys’ – Emily Chamberlain

Post-partum psychosis, a serious mental health emergency that requires immediate help. It’s a medical condition, not a personal failing, and it can happen to anyone.

🧡 Recognise the signs: Post-partum psychosis is a severe condition that can involve hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and a dramatic shift in mood. It is not the same as postpartum depression and requires immediate medical intervention.

💙 Act fast: If you or someone you know is showing these signs, it is an emergency. Getting immediate medical care can save lives. This is a treatable illness, and acting quickly is what's needed for a life-saving response.

🧡 Ending the stigma: Awareness is critical to ensure that those affected can receive the urgent, life-saving care they need without hesitation or shame.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of post-partum psychosis, please seek emergency medical attention. For additional resources and support, visit pmhweek.org.au.

‘I reached out for ForWhen at one of the darkest points of my life, and I don't know where I would be without them. As s...
27/11/2025

‘I reached out for ForWhen at one of the darkest points of my life, and I don't know where I would be without them. As soon as I began speaking to one of their Navigators, I felt an enormous weight lifted’ – Lauchlan Craig

The unexpected journey of welcoming a premature baby can be a traumatic experience for the entire family. For both parents, the sudden shift from a normal pregnancy to the NICU is incredibly stressful. Fathers often feel the dual pressure of needing to be a rock for their partner while feeling helpless themselves. The NICU environment, medical uncertainty, and feelings of powerlessness can bring significant stress to everyone involved.

🧡 Your trauma is real: The experience of having a premature baby can be a source of significant trauma, anxiety, and grief for both parents. It’s okay to feel this way and to acknowledge that this is an incredibly difficult time.
💙 You matter, too: As a family, your emotional well-being is just as important as your baby’s physical health. Both of you need care and support to navigate this challenging period.
🧡 The support you need: There are specific resources for parents of premature babies. You both deserve to get what you need, when you need it, and to feel supported every step of the way.

ForWhen is here to support you, when you need it. Call 📞 1300 24 23 22 to be connected with a skilled and compassionate navigator who can help you find the right local support.⁠

‘Sharing your birth and parenting story is important for all parents. But for multiple birth parents, to be a part of a ...
26/11/2025

‘Sharing your birth and parenting story is important for all parents. But for multiple birth parents, to be a part of a community who can appreciate the details of your story and say “me too” is a huge comfort. It helps combat isolation, loneliness and postpartum depression’ – Laura Wilson

Welcoming multiples into your family is a joyful but incredibly demanding journey. The demands of caring for two or more babies can be so consuming that they leave you feeling deeply isolated. Your day-to-day priorities become feeding and getting enough sleep, and it can feel impossible to leave the house or connect with others.

💙 A unique experience: The challenges you face as a parent of multiples are different from those of single-birth parents. In fact, parents of multiples are significantly more likely to experience mental health challenges and disabling exhaustion in the first year. You need a community of others who truly understand this unique experience.
🧡 It’s okay to feel alone: The feelings of loneliness are valid. The logistics of caring for multiples can be overwhelming, and it's okay to feel like you're struggling to get out and connect.
💙 Finding your tribe: From specialised support groups to online forums, finding a community of other parents of multiples is crucial. AMBA's philosophy is "support from those who know", and connecting with your tribe can offer you a safe space to find friendship and get the specific, tailored support you need.

Visit pmhweek.org.au to connect with others who understand your journey.

Need parenting support? Call the Karitane Careline on 📞 1300 227 464 to be connected to an experienced Child and Family Health Nurse who can help.

‘I used to think being stressed meant I was failing as a dad. Now I know it just means I am human. Life with kids will a...
25/11/2025

‘I used to think being stressed meant I was failing as a dad. Now I know it just means I am human. Life with kids will always be messy, but it is how we manage the pressure that makes the difference’ – Arran MacDougall⁠

New dads and partners, this one's for you. The expectation to be a provider and a source of strength can be immense. It's easy to feel like you have to have all the answers and never show a sign of struggle, but that pressure can take a serious toll on your mental health. It's time to break the silence and get what you need, when you need it.⁠

🧡 Your mental health matters: It's okay to feel overwhelmed. Your well-being is just as important as everyone else's, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.⁠
💙 Find tailored support: There are resources specifically designed for fathers and partners. You deserve to get the help that meets your unique needs and experiences.⁠
🧡 A call to action for everyone: If you're a father, know that help is available. If you know a father, check in on him. This is how we work together to ensure everyone gets what they need, exactly when they need it.⁠

Dads, you are not alone. ForWhen is here to listen, understand your situation and help connect you with the right local support. Call 📞 1300 24 23 22 to be connected with a skilled and compassionate navigator who's ready to help. 💙


‘From (my Caring Mums) first visit, I felt appreciated, validated, and less alone. I looked forward to her weekly visits...
24/11/2025

‘From (my Caring Mums) first visit, I felt appreciated, validated, and less alone. I looked forward to her weekly visits—they became my safe space to release emotions’ – Maria Luisa Fernandez

Sometimes, the best support comes from someone who truly understands. A peer-to-peer connection is a powerful way to get exactly what you need: a direct link with someone who has been there. It’s a safe space where you can share your story without judgment and find comfort in knowing you're not alone.

💙 The power of connection: Peer support can help you feel understood in a way that nothing else can. It reduces feelings of isolation and offers practical advice from a lived experience.
🧡 Finding the right fit: This kind of support comes in many forms—from structured groups to casual meet-ups and online communities. It's about finding the right fit for you, so you can get what you need, when you need it.
💙 Your community is waiting: Reaching out to a peer is a brave and powerful step toward healing. Your community of support is ready to welcome you.

Visit pmhweek.org.au to connect with others in your community.

‘Alby was my first-born son and he was full of life. He loved cars, cake, and his favourite colour was “rainbow.” – Kim ...
23/11/2025

‘Alby was my first-born son and he was full of life. He loved cars, cake, and his favourite colour was “rainbow.” – Kim Dang McDonald

Today, we're shining a spotlight on the profound journey of loss and grief during the perinatal period. This can be the loss of a pregnancy, an infant, a birth experience, or even the loss of a future you had imagined. We want you to know that your grief is real, valid, and deserves to be acknowledged. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.

🧡 Your grief is personal: We know that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It's a journey that can feel isolating, but you are not alone in your feelings.

💙 The need for compassion: It's a natural human instinct to want to help someone through grief, but sometimes well-meaning efforts can unintentionally invalidate a person’s experience. Phrases that try to find a positive outcome often minimize a parent’s pain and can deepen their sense of isolation. What you truly need is simple, empathetic support.

🧡 Finding your community: You are not alone in your grief. There are communities and professionals who have walked a similar path and can offer the specific, empathetic support you need, when you need it most. This support is a "highly specialised field," different from other forms of mental health care.

Find support when you need it most at pmhweek.org.au.

Address

Cnr The Horsley Drive & Mitchell St
Villawood, NSW
2163

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 9pm
Tuesday 8am - 9pm
Wednesday 8am - 9pm
Thursday 8am - 9pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 3:30pm

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