The Support Young Mothers Asked for to Improve Their Mental Health Literacy
Tracks
Diamond Ballroom I: In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
| Thursday, June 5, 2025 |
| 2:05 PM - 2:25 PM |
Overview
Arianne Reis, Western Sydney University
Presenter
Dr Arianne Reis
Associate Professor
Western Sydney University
The Support Young Mothers Asked for to Improve Their Mental Health Literacy
Abstract
Young mothers are commonly offered mainstream care, including antenatal education and parenting groups designed for parents of average age 30 years or older. As a consequence, they often do not engage in mental health services and, therefore, may not receive appropriate assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Targeted digital health programs that enhance mental health literacy and help-seeking have been suggested as potential mechanisms to address this issue.
The aim of this study was to co-design with lived experience consumers a perinatal mental health literacy learning resource to support the mental health and wellbeing of young mothers.
The study used Participatory Action Research with the aim of improving and creating change that involves and benefits participants. The project involved a core group of 10 young mothers as co-researchers in all stages of the project and close to 100 young mothers who participated in co-design workshops across the country. Health and community-based practitioners working with young mothers were also part of the study to provide their perspectives on the needs of young mothers. Data used in the present study include workshop and focus group meetings with, and testimonials from, young mothers as co-researchers/co-designers, as well as focus groups with health and community-based professionals. Data was qualitative in nature and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results from the study led to the development of Young Well Beings, an online resource hosted in a secure OpenLearning platform that allows both young mothers and practitioners to access reliable and relatable information in a variety of formats, in an engaging and authentic way. Content was developed by young mothers and covered five areas they identified of most need to support young mothers’ mental health literacy: mental health and wellbeing for young mothers; building confidence; building my network; self-care strategies; and busting myths and stereotypes.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The lived experience of young mothers is a fundamental source of knowledge and wisdom to draw from when it comes to designing resources to support their perinatal mental health journey.
2. Co-designing resources with consumers is not easy but it is crucial to achieve positive engagement and outcomes.
3. Co-design requires empowerment of consumers
The aim of this study was to co-design with lived experience consumers a perinatal mental health literacy learning resource to support the mental health and wellbeing of young mothers.
The study used Participatory Action Research with the aim of improving and creating change that involves and benefits participants. The project involved a core group of 10 young mothers as co-researchers in all stages of the project and close to 100 young mothers who participated in co-design workshops across the country. Health and community-based practitioners working with young mothers were also part of the study to provide their perspectives on the needs of young mothers. Data used in the present study include workshop and focus group meetings with, and testimonials from, young mothers as co-researchers/co-designers, as well as focus groups with health and community-based professionals. Data was qualitative in nature and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results from the study led to the development of Young Well Beings, an online resource hosted in a secure OpenLearning platform that allows both young mothers and practitioners to access reliable and relatable information in a variety of formats, in an engaging and authentic way. Content was developed by young mothers and covered five areas they identified of most need to support young mothers’ mental health literacy: mental health and wellbeing for young mothers; building confidence; building my network; self-care strategies; and busting myths and stereotypes.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The lived experience of young mothers is a fundamental source of knowledge and wisdom to draw from when it comes to designing resources to support their perinatal mental health journey.
2. Co-designing resources with consumers is not easy but it is crucial to achieve positive engagement and outcomes.
3. Co-design requires empowerment of consumers
Biography
Arianne is an Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences at Western Sydney University. She is also the project lead of Young Well Beings, a Commonwealth-funded project that has developed an online course co-designed by young mothers, for young mothers, to support their mental health and wellbeing. She is also involved in a number of program evaluation projects supporting community-based organisations to assess and improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals. She is particularly interested in projects that focus on vulnerable, underserved and/or marginalised members of our communities.
