Western Sydney University’s School of Health Sciences has worked closely with government and community-based health professionals, and a team of dedicated young mums, to create a mental health literacy resource devoted exclusively to young mothers.
Young Well Beings is an award-winning resource that aims to improve wellbeing of young mums up to the age of 24, helping to minimise stress, stigma and suicide. The course equips young mothers with the strategies and coping mechanisms to stay well, build confidence and resilience, grow support networks, and find professional help.
Associate Professor Arianne Reis, from the School of Health Sciences and Translational Health Research Institute, said this resource fills a major gap in age-appropriate support, with research showing that one in five women who give birth in Australia experience perinatal mental health issues.
‘There is still a lot of stigma associated with being a young mother, despite the fact that 1 in every 10 mums in Australia are under the age of 25. This stigma often leads young mums to not seek support when they need it,’ said Associate Professor Reis.
‘Research shows that one in five women who give birth in Australia experience perinatal mental health. The rates are even higher for young mums and Indigenous mums. This can lead to many different tragic outcomes, from depression to psychosis, and at times, suicide.
‘Evidence also suggests that young mothers are at particular risk of experiencing domestic violence and have higher rates of postpartum child protection investigations.
‘We identified a lack of age-appropriate support, so resources like Young Well Beings that provide vital knowledge crafted by health and community-based professionals, researchers, and young mums with lived experience, are crucial.’
Free to everyone, and interactive
Young Well Beings is a free, smartphone-friendly and interactive online course that can be completed at any pace and is available as an ongoing resource to refer to for any young mother across the country.
The course is interactive, has comprehensive accessibility features and includes downloadable summaries available in six languages.
Project Assistant – Lived Experience, Jasmyn Mosley, from the University’s School of Health Sciences, was a co-designer of the tool. Ms Mosley’s firsthand experience being a young mother at 18, facing domestic violence, navigating homelessness and financial difficulties, was vital in the formation of Young Well Beings.
‘Being a part of the co-design team allowed me to realise that my experience was not isolated or uncommon. The opportunity to learn from other young mums, and trusted medical professionals, really impacted me and I grew in confidence knowing that I was supported and had access to the information that I never realised I needed,’ said Ms Mosley.
‘I particularly paid attention to the language that was being used and made sure that no matter the level of mental health literacy someone has, they would hopefully be able to understand and participate in the resource.
‘There is a lack of safe, reliable, up-to-date, free, online resources that address young mothers directly. The Young Well Beings resource is important and should be integrated with the perinatal care period as much as possible.’
Strength to strength
Over 280 young mums and health and community professionals have enrolled in the course since its launch in May 2024.
‘Taking good care of our kids despite life’s challenges goes better when we know how to also take care of ourselves and have people we trust who will support us when we need extra help,’ said Associate Professor Reis.
‘Young Well Beings is an exclusive space for young mothers to feel safe with others just like them.’
Young Well Beings is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Perinatal and Mental Health and Wellbeing program and is managed by the School of Health Sciences at Western Sydney University with the support of Western Sydney Local Health District Mental Health Service.
Young Well Beings recently won the OpenLearning Global Innovation Award for 2024. To learn more, visit the web page.
Need immediate help?
Please contact one of the services below:
Lifeline (Crisis support and suicide prevention): 13 11 14.
Beyond Blue (Mental health support): 1300 22 4363.
Kids Helpline (for children and youth aged 5 to 25): 1800 55 1800.
Suicide Callback Service (Professional telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide): 1300 659 467.
QLife (Anonymous LGBTI peer support and referral for those wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships): 1800 184 527.
