Humans of the Hospital: Emma Britton

“I HavE three boys and I experienced perinatal depression and anxiety with my first two sons.

after the birth of my second child in December 2018, I was admitted to St John of God Mother and Baby Unit at Burwood Hospital. It was a truly transformative time for me, and I credit my quick recovery to being admitted there.

Following my stay, I was shocked to learn that at the time, it was the only facility of its kind in NSW. In mid-2020, I became a consumer advocate for the Mother and Baby Unit project at Westmead Hospital.

I am so proud of what we have been able to achieve on the project and it was amazing to finally see the unit in person during the NSW Premier’s visit.

Knowing that there is now another facility with people who understand what a mother struggling with perinatal mental illness is feeling is what motivated me throughout this project.

I know one day, I will be able to tell my children and grandchildren that I contributed to that building, and I just hope it goes a long way in helping other mothers emerge from the other side of perinatal mental illness stronger, wiser, and more capable mothers.”

– Emma Britton is a wife, mother of three, special education teacher, advocate for those with perinatal mental illness and had the honour of cutting the ribbon to mark the unit’s completion on Tuesday 28 February 2023.

‘Humans of the Hospital’ is dedicated to the inspiring humans working at Westmead, Blacktown, Mount Druitt auburn and Cumberland hospitals in western Sydney.