Ahead of Women’s Health Week next week we wanted to have a look at women’s health in 2022. We know how difficult it can be for women to prioritise their health, whether it be physical or mental health. In this blog we are focusing on mental health and have compiled a list of online resources available in Australia to help women take care of their mental wellbeing.
It is important for everyone to take care of their mental health. Research shows that 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. Whilst some are not specifically for women, we want to highlight the range of evidence-based options available. These have been grouped by support type to make it easier to find the relevant resource.
Online Treatment Program with free practitioner support
MindSpot
A free national service for Australian adults with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood, chronic pain, or depression. They provide online courses for a range of issues, as well as mental health screening assessments, feedback, and therapist support. MindSpot also provides resources for health professionals on how to refer patients.
Mental Health Online
https://www.mentalhealthonline.org.au/
An internet-based treatment clinic for people with a range of mental health problems including anxiety, depression, and stress/wellbeing. Their online programs offer high-quality information, assessment, treatment, feedback and therapist support.
THIS WAY UP
App and online CBT programs for a range of different issues, providing online treatment and information. Their programs are available as self-help or with clinician-assistance. Visit the Learning Hub for comprehensive information about their mental health issues that THIS WAY UP offers courses for.
Online Self-Guided Treatment Programs
MoodGym
A free self-help program that teaches cognitive behaviour therapy skills to help prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
eCouch
An interactive self-help program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety and worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss and grief. It teaches evidence-based strategies drawn from cognitive behavioural and interpersonal therapies.
My Compass
An interactive self-help service that aims to promote resilience and wellbeing for people experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety and/or depression. The program supports real-time monitoring of symptoms and behaviours, and includes interactive skill-building modules.
Mum2BMoodBooster
https://www.mum2bmoodbooster.com/public/
Online CBT treatment program from MumSpace for pregnant women, revering from antenatal depression, who are experiencing depression or anxiety. The program includes interactive sessions, SMS support, access to an online library and regular monitoring.
MumMoodBooster
https://mummoodbooster.com/public/
Online CBT treatment program from MumSpace for new mothers, recovering from postnatal depression, who are experiencing depression or anxiety. The program includes interactive sessions, SMS support, access to an online library and regular monitoring.
Baby Steps
https://www.babysteps.org.au/login
An online program that aims to enhance the wellbeing of new mums and dads and help them adjust to parenthood. The program provides information on caring for a new baby, how parents can support each other, and how parents can take care of themselves.
Apps
Daisy
https://www.1800respect.org.au/daisy
An app from 1800respect connecting Australian women to abuse services. Daisy provides information about local support services, including safety features to protect users privacy. The app is free to download from the Google Play store and Apple store.
Sunny
https://www.1800respect.org.au/sunny
A support app from 1800respect for women with disabilities who have experienced violence and abuse. The Sunny app supports users to tell their story, understand what has happened, know your rights, find people who can help, and learn about different types of abuse. The app is free to download from the Google Play store and Apple store.
MindMum
https://www.mumspace.com.au/when-you-need-extra-help/
An app designed to support expectant and new mothers through emotional challenges. MindMum provides information, tips, monitoring, and planning app to help pregnant women and new mothers feel confident in dealing with parenting, lifting their mood and strengthening their relationships. The app is free to download from the Google Play store and Apple store.
MoodMission
An app based on cognitive behavioural therapy designed to help individuals overcome low moods and anxiety by discovering new and better ways of coping. MoodMission guides users through ‘missions’ teaching short, easily achievable coping strategies. The app is available to download from the Google Play store and Apple store.
Phone Lines, Online chat and Information Sites
1800RESPECT
https://www.1800respect.org.au/
1800 737 732
An online and telephone counselling service for people experiencing violence in their relationships. They provide information, counselling and support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Lifeline
13 11 14
Lifeline in a crisis support and suicide prevention phone and online chat service. Their website provides information on a range of mental health and wellbeing topics including how mental health issues impact women, and guidance on what resources are available. Lifeline also provides online, telephone and text based crisis support for anyone experiencing distress who needs someone to listen.
BeyondBlue
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue provides up-to-date information and resources for depression or anxiety to Australian adults. Their website provide 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
1800 33 4673
Telephone and online counselling, referral, support, psychoeducation and moderated online support groups for anyone needing guidance with an eating disorder, as well as intermittently offering online practical skills courses for families supporting loved ones.
Guiding Light
https://rednosegriefandloss.org.au/support
1300 308 307
Phone and online counselling service from Red Nose Grief and Loss for individuals 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.
MumSpace
A one-stop information site supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of pregnant women, new mums, and their families. The website includes information surrounding pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/
24hour phone counselling for women, their partners, friends, and relatives about pregnancy, childbirth and their baby’s first year. Their website also includes information and support for pregnancy, childbirth, newborn essentials, toddler tips, and preschoolers.
PANDA
Resources and information for new and expecting parents affected by anxiety and depression, as well as their partners or carers. Provides information for maternal health professionals and family service providers. PANDA also provides a helpline for new and expecting parents seeking support.
Healthy Families
https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/
Information, knowledge, and confidence for parents, guardians, and other adults to support the young people in their life while taking care of their own mental health and wellbeing. Their website provides information on a range of topics relating to families’ mental health, including maternal mental health and wellbeing.
Parents Beyond Breakup
https://parentsbeyondbreakup.com/
1300 853 437
Information, advice, telephone and online peer support to help parents, experiencing trauma related to family breakdown and separation. They provide a support group called Mums in Distress for mums experiencing trauma related to family breakdown and separation.
Headspace
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.
Wellways
https://www.wellways.org/our-services/helpline
1300 111 500
Free and confidential emotional support and referral service on mental health, disability, and community care for 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.
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