Riverland mothers create support group to combat postnatal isolation

Stacey Wurfel established River Mamas Co to provide a social lifeline for mothers facing isolation after childbirth in the Riverland region of South Australia.

Wurfel started the group after experiencing loneliness and signs of postnatal depression while her partner worked away from home. She noticed other women in the community also appearing lonely while visiting local cafes.

The group operates an online presence and organizes weekly walking groups and coffee meetings that rotate among four major town centres in the Riverland. Participants like Sunnefa Yeatman and Kosanna Sinc say the group helped them manage postpartum depression and anxiety by providing a space to connect with others who have had similar experiences. A clinical psychologist in the region noted that rural areas often lack face-to-face mental health services, leading to long wait times for those needing support.

While the South Australian government provides short-term parenting groups through the Child and Family Health Service, Wurfel intends to expand her group's focus on postnatal depression and local support networks.