On Monday we celebrated International Women’s Day, and in honour of that, we wanted to compile a list of all the digital mental health resources available in Australia to help women take care of their mental health.
It is important for everyone to take care of their mental health. We know women often seek help more than men but many still struggle with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders, amongst other mental health conditions.
There are a variety of digital mental health resources available to help support women to take care of their mental health and make their own wellbeing a priority.
Information and Support
For women seeking information on mental health conditions, and how to seek support, there is a range of websites available. Some of these resources also include peer support through forums.
Lifeline
https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/
13 11 14
Lifeline Australia provides information on mental health and wellbeing. While not designed specifically for women, their site does include information on how mental health issues impact women and guidance on what resources are available. Lifeline also provides online and telephone crisis support for anyone experiencing distress who needs someone to listen.
Beyond Blue
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/women
1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue provides information to Australians living with anxiety or depression, exploring who it affects, the signs and symptoms, and how to find support. For women experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, Beyond Blue provides information on how these mental health conditions affect women, the factors that affect them, the signs and symptoms, and the support options available.
Butterfly Foundation
1700 33 4673
The Butterfly Foundation was established to provide support to Australians living with eating disorders and body image issues. Through their website, women can access information, online peer support, and what online and face-to-face programs are available for those living with an eating disorder or supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Wellways
https://www.wellways.org/news/mental-health-aged-care-and-disability-news
1300 111 400
The Wellways website was developed to provide information on mental health, disability, and community care to Australians living with mental health issues or disabilities. Their website includes information on mental health, aged care, and disability news for women, including causes and the support services available. Wellways also provides a helpline for anyone seeking information and support for people experiencing mental health issues, as well as their friends, family, and carers.
Headspace
Group Chats
https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/group-chat/
Headspace is an Australian Youth Mental Health Foundation providing information, peer-support and intervention for young Australians experiencing mental health issues. They offer group chats on a range of topics including, young women supporting each other, relationships and violence at home, to help women cope with mental health issues and wellbeing.
Programs, Apps, and Online Support
There is a range of online programs and apps, providing digital interventions for women seeking support for mental health conditions. These resources aim to help improve mental wellbeing, as well as deal with specific concerns like trauma, and grief.
MindSpot Clinic
Wellbeing Course
https://mindspot.org.au/wellbeing-course
The MindSpot Clinic Wellbeing Course was designed to help adults aged 26 to 65 years old manage mild, moderate, and severe depression, and anxiety. The eight-week course provides information on anxiety and depression and helps teach skills to recognize symptoms, manage them, gain confidence and stay well after the course. MindSpot Clinic courses are designed with both men and women in mind to help improve their mental health and wellbeing.
1800RESPECT
https://www.1800respect.org.au/
1800 737 732
1800RESPECT is an online and telephone counselling service for people experiencing violence in their relationships. Their website includes information on healthy relationships, violence, abuse, and supporting someone else. 1800RESPECT also provides a counselling and support service over the phone for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Daisy App
https://www.1800respect.org.au/daisy
The Daisy app was developed by 1800RESPECT to provide information and support for Australian women experiencing violence or abuse. The app, which is available on Apple and Android devices, connects users to local services and includes safety features to maintain their privacy.
Sunny App
https://1800respect.org.au/sunny
The Sunny app was developed by 1800RESPECT for women with disabilities who have experienced violence and abuse. The app, available on Apple and Android devices, aims to support women to tell their story, understand what happened, know their rights, and find support.
Guiding Light
https://rednosegriefandloss.org.au/support
1300 308 307
Guiding Light is a phone and online counselling service developed by Red Nose Grief and Loss for parents and families after the loss of a child. The website includes information on bereavement and seeking support following a miscarriage, early pregnancy loss, medical termination, stillbirth, newborn death, sudden infant death, and the death of a young child.
Sands
1300 072 637
The Sands website provides support and information for families following the death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Mothers can access real stories, information, and support via the Sands website and support line to cope with feelings of grief and loss following infant loss.
Mental Health Support for Mothers
There are many factors that can affect women’s mental health, causing them to experience mental health conditions, with one of the greatest being pregnancy. During pregnancy and in the first year after the birth of a baby, there is an increased chance of women experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. After pregnancy, there are also many stresses related to parenting and raising a child, and it can be difficult to balance all the pressures of everyday life.
There is a range of digital mental health resources designed to support mothers through pregnancy and beyond, helping them take time to focus on their own mental health and wellbeing.
MumSpace
MumSpace was developed to provide information and resources to pregnant women, new mums, and their families to support their mental health and wellbeing. The website includes information to surrounding pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Users can access a range of online treatments including Mum2BMood Booster, MumMoodBooster for antenatal depression, postnatal depression, and anxiety, and the MindMum app for the emotional challenges new and expectant mothers face.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby provides phone counselling for women, their partners, friends, and family. The counselling service and website provide information and support for pregnancy, childbirth, newborn essentials, toddler tips, and preschoolers.
PANDA
PANDA provides information and support to women experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression, as well as their partners and carers, during pregnancy and the first year of parenthood. They also provide a helpline for new and expecting parents seeking support.
Baby Steps
https://www.babysteps.org.au/web/index
Baby Steps is an online program to improve the mental health and wellbeing of new mums and dads. The program aims to help mum and dads adjust to their new life with a baby, providing information on how to care for a newborn while taking care of their own wellbeing and supporting each other.
Healthy Families
Maternal Mental Health and Wellbeing
Healthy Families was developed by Beyond Blue, to provide information for parents and guardians to support young people in their lives, while still taking care of themselves. Their website provides information on a range of topics relating to families’ mental health, including maternal mental health and wellbeing.
Parents Beyond Breakup
Mums in Distress
https://www.parentsbeyondbreakup.com/mids
1300 853 437
Mums in Distress is a support group offered by Parents Beyond Breakup for mums experiencing trauma related to family breakdown and separation. They provide information, advice, peer-support, and telephone counselling, to help mums through family breakdown and parental alienation.
Quit for You Quit for Two
Quit for You Quit for Two is an app designed to support women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, give up smoking. The app, available on Apple devices, aims to take users’ minds off cravings through games and exercises, as well as providing tips, advice, and facts to inspire users to stay smoke-free.
This Way Up
Postnatal Anxiety and Depression Program
Pregnancy Anxiety and Depression Program
https://thiswayup.org.au/courses/perinatal-mental-health-courses/
This Way Up provides a range of online CBT courses for mental health issues, including the MUMentum Pregnancy and Postnatal courses. These courses include self-help and clinician-assisted options who women experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression, low mood, learning skills, and support over 3 lessons to take care of their mental health.
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