Being a parent is undoubtedly a remarkable experience, filled with many surprises and cherished memories. However, it’s no secret that it can also present many challenges to expecting, new or experienced parents.
Health practitioners can recommend or utilise a range of digital mental health resources as part of their work to support parents through many of these challenges. When faced with the stressors of parenthood, digital resources are an easily accessible way for parents to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing. Parenting courses, tools and tips can also be accessed online to help parents develop a positive parent-child relationship and enforce healthy limits. Parents can also use digital mental health resources directly with their children to help support their child’s wellbeing at home.
Resources for Parents Own Wellbeing
Digital mental health interventions can be a great tool for your clients with children or those expecting a new baby who may be facing their own mental health challenges. These resources can help parents cope with low moods, anxiety, or everyday stress as well as address concerns directly related to their role as a parent, such as relationship issues, identity, and parenting concerns.
Healthy Families
https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/
Information and moderated forums for parents, guardians, and other adults to support the young people in their life while taking care of their own mental health and wellbeing.
Parentline
Professional counselling and support for parents and carers offering phone, email and webchat. Online counselling is also available in some states/territories. Find the website and phone numbers for Parentline in your state here.
PANDA
1300 726 306
Resources, an online forum, mental health checklists and a national helpline providing emotional support for new and expecting parents.
COPE
Information for expectant and new parents, with links on where to get support.
MumSpace
A ‘one-stop-shop’ for the mental health of new mums, including information, free resources and access to a range of online mental health treatment programs.
THIS WAY UP
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Program
https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/perinatal-mental-health-programs/
Self-guided online programs and coping tips for a range of mental health concerns, including a three lesson pregnancy and postnatal program for new mums.
Parenting Tools
Parenting tools refer to websites, online programs, apps, and phone support lines which help parents to build their confidence and address questions and concerns around parenting from birth to adolescence. These tools can help with defining roles and developing relationships, keeping children safe, understanding children’s needs, and sharing parenting strategies.
eSafety Parents
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
Webinars, advice and resources for keeping children and teens safe online.
Raising Children Network
https://raisingchildren.net.au/
Tools, information guides, mobile apps and other products to help your family grow and thrive together.
Parenting Strategies
https://parentingstrategies.net/
Practical, evidence-based guidelines on how parents can support their child’s wellbeing, including reducing risk of depression and anxiety, addressing school refusal, and preventing alcohol misuse.
Triple P: Positive Parenting Program
https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-en/
Online eight module courses providing a toolbox of parenting strategies for children up to the age of 16.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/
1800 882 436
Information website, phone or video chat with a maternal child health nurse for personal advice and guidance on pregnancy, birth, being a parent and raising a child.
Understanding and Supporting Children and Teens Mental Wellbeing
Digital mental health resources can help parents to learn about their child’s behaviour, understand when to seek support and how to support and improve their child’s mental wellbeing.
Positive Choices
https://positivechoices.org.au/parents/
Videos, apps and resources for parents on adolescent drug and alcohol use.
Bullying. No Way!
Information, resources and activities for bullying education and prevention.
Smiling Mind
Resilient Families Programs
https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
Available on App Store and Google Play
A website and app teaching Mindfulness Meditation to young people and adults. Includes programs designed to be listened to with the whole family and tailored programs for parents.
ReachOut Parents
https://parents.au.reachout.com/
Information, discussion forums, resources and parent coaching to help parents and carers support the 12 to 18 year old’s in their family.
The BRAVE Program
https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/
Prevention, intervention, and treatment of anxiety in young people. Includes child (3-7 and 8-12), teen (12-17), and parent components.
Cool Little Kids Online
https://coollittlekids.org.au/login
A program for parents of shy or anxious children (3-6), that helps build parents’ knowledge and practical skills to increase their child’s confidence.
Child360
https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/child360-app/
Available on App Store and Google Play
An app for parents supporting their children’s social and emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Resources for Bereaved Parents
Sands
1300 072 637
Miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support website, email, live chat, Facebook groups and phone line.
Guiding Light
https://rednosegriefandloss.org.au
1300 308 307
Resources, information and links to support for the sudden or unexpected death of a baby or young child.
WellMob
https://wellmob.org.au/e-health-topics/our-mob/parenting/
WellMob is a hub of online social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They bring together websites, apps, podcasts, videos, social media, and online counselling resources with a focus on social and emotional wellbeing to connect frontline health and wellbeing workers with culturally safe resources.
The WellMob website includes a section on resources for parenting where you can access a range of resources for mums, dads, grandparents, and carers on parenting and family support to help bring up children to develop into deadly young people.
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