By Matthew Lau
While government-enforced social distancing measures have been in place over the past few weeks, Pregnancy Assistance Inc has strived to continue its services through technological platforms.
Pregnancy Assistance (PA) had to modify the way it operates by being available online, by phone, and via FaceTime – providing support for women experiencing the increased pressure of feeling isolated.
Speaking to The eRecord, Counsellor Lisette Jas outlines how PA’s ministry has coped with the challenges caused by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and how its staff are looking forward for life to return to normality.
“Presently, we only open on Thursdays for non-contact appointments. We believe it is still essential to continue providing practical support for the mums-to-be, keeping in mind the aspect of social distancing,” Mrs Jas said.
“Additionally, it gives people the opportunity one day a week to drop off donations. This is so essential as we rely entirely on the goodwill of people to donate much needed items such as bassinets, baby baths, nappies, baby clothes and toiletries for mums and bub.”
Aside from operating its walk-in centre every Thursday, PA’s workforce are telecommuting to ensure its clientele can still make contact for emotional support and to organise appointments for practical support.
“The human connection is so important so the counselling sessions are definitely not the same and while some of our clients have expressed this, we can at least provide some emotional support during this time of uncertainty.”
Mrs Jas highlights how the pandemic has affected the women who its service supports.
“We think that communication is so much more than words, it is the gesture of making someone a cup of tea and truly being with them when they tell their story. The human connection gets lost somewhat when you are not able to meet face-to-face,” she added.
“While our ladies understand the need for social distancing, they tell us it is hard for them. I recently had a phone call with a client who tearfully told me how upsetting it was that she couldn’t visit and how it increased the pressure of feeling isolated.”
Noting how feelings of loneliness are often intensified during a pandemic, Mrs Jas believes personal issues are more “magnified” for people who are doing it tough or are struggling during these times of isolation.
“That’s why the importance of coming to our house at Lord St is more than just collecting items – it is a sharing of stories, of providing compassion of opening our house, which is an oasis of peace in this crazy world.
“Someone said to me the other day that they are ‘way more into their own head and that is scary’,” Mrs Jas shared.
“We also provide support and counselling for people impacted by pregnancy loss [abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth]. I have noticed that since we are in lockdown, we have more people than usual seeking our support in relation to that.
“Coping with grief is erratic as it is and during these times it is so much harder,” she concluded.
Pregnancy Assistance Inc is an independent Catholic organisation initiated by Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey in 1996.
If you are in need of counselling (via phone call or FaceTime), call PA on (08) 9328 2929 between 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, you can leave a voicemail or alternatively find PA on Facebook, or email: info@pregnancyassistance.org.au
If you are in need of practical support, feel free to call PA to book you in on Thursdays.
Located at 195 Lord St in East Perth, parking is available behind its building (entry off Brewer St). When you call, you will be asked what you are in need of. Once you arrive at the back of the building, please call the centre and someone will bring the items to your car.
All of PA’s services are free and confidential. Despite the virus, PA stills wants to live out its mission “to provide relief of poverty, suffering, distress, misfortune, destitution or helplessness for pregnant women of all sections of the public”.