Supporting the mental health of new parents

Evidence-informed e-resources to build skills and promote health adjustments among new parents

Jean Hailes and Monash University

• The Jean Hailes Research Unit (JHRU) is a unique partnership between Monash University and Jean Hailes for Women’s Health

• Combine research, clinical care and practical education• Key point of difference is the translation and dissemination of

research into easy to understand health information • Women as agents of change and as family influencers

What Were We Thinking!• Evidence-based universal program for the primary prevention of

perinatal common mental disorders (PCMD)• Family-inclusive, psycho-educational and gender-informed

intervention • Implemented by trained clinicians and practitioners• Involves mothers, fathers and their first newborns, as part of

routine care• Effective in reducing PCMD in first-time mothers by two-thirds

Fisher, Rowe et al, 2016 BMJ Open

E-mental health strategy

• Australian Government’s e-Mental Health Strategy• Improve access to high quality, innovative, evidence-based

information and eMH programs and services• Spans the full spectrum of models of care• Utilise advances in technology to support innovation • Stepped-care approach to mental health • WWWT as a universal, prevention and early intervention model

WWWT e-resources • Free mobile app• Professionally-moderated blog

Smartphone app

• Week-by-week info for 26 weeks• Videos for mums & dads• Quizzes & worksheets• Personal stories & experiences• Practical activities• Journal writing• Links to further info & support

Personal and practical solutions

A New Reality InThisTogether Crying, Settling, Sleeping

Your Needs Every Baby is Different

Growth and Development

The Birth Not Long to Go Your Tired Baby Setting Limits Labelling Your Baby When Your Baby is Awake

How is it Now? What You Need to Know Settling Your Baby Being Firm Creating a Family Routine More about Feed-Play-Sleep

What am I Missing? Our New Family Helping Your Baby Sleep Taking a Breath Worrying Too Much The Help You Need

More About Losses and Gains

Everyone Needs Sleep Crying, Crying, Crying What to do if There is Not Enough Help

Supporting Your Baby’s Development

Sleeping Update

What Have you been Doing all Day?

Keeping it Nice Understanding Crying Having Mixed Feelings Your Baby is Growing

Worrying About Your Baby Teamwork More About Baby’s Sleep Leaving Your Baby with Someone Else

Your 4 Month Old

More About Keeping it Nice More About Settling Your Baby

Routine and Your Baby’s Carers

Keeping Your Baby Safe

The Family You Grew Up In

Feed-Play-Sleep Going it Alone Helping Babies to have Structure in their Lives

Your New Family Resettling Your Baby Games That Babies Enjoy w their Parents

* Interactive Worksheets Not All Crying is the Same

App Index

Different users

• The app is designed for a range of different users:oExpecting parentsoNew mums and dadsoFamily and friends of new parentsoChild and family health professionals

• Different profiles offer personalised home screens• Makes the tailored information easy-to- navigate

Using the app in practice settings

• Quickly access language to convey key concepts• Module program • On tablet for group or couple work• Complete worksheets and quizzes within app • Instant tailored feedback• Access and share content

Professionally-moderated blog

• Peer and professional support• New parents share their unique

experiences of life with a baby• Blogging as a personal, reflective

and therapeutic process • Expert responses by WWWT

trained child health nurses and psychologists

Learning exchange

• Platform to share evidence-based knowledge and skill-building strategies

• Provide comfort & reassurance • Build confidence• Access useful resources, WWWT

worksheets and further supports • Links to and from the app

Resources and support

• Order free resources and download training materials

Find out more• Blog and app

o jeanhailes.org.au/what-were-we-thinking/• Program and training

owhatwerewethinking.org.au• Vimeo channel

ohttps://vimeo.com/channels/jeanhaileswwwthinking• Jean Hailes Anxiety website: learn, think, do

ohttp://anxiety.jeanhailes.org.au/pregnancy-beyond