By Salt 106.5 TeamMonday 6 May 2024The Morning Wake-up with JordanaHealth and WellbeingReading Time: 2 minutes

Warning: The following article contains content that some readers may find distressing. If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

Gidget Foundation Australia (GFA) says research has revealed that nearly 30% of Aussie parents wish they had more support from the community.

Key points

• “Mental health impacts a significant proportion of expectant and new parents,” Amelia said.
• Small, accessible mood boosters like breathing exercises, mindfulness or gratitude may help during tough moments.
• GFA is launching series two of their podcast 1 in 5 Mothers 1 in 10 Fathers to continue supporting new parents.

Unfortunately, it’s quite common for new parents to feel alone in their journey but GFA has found that online connection can be an effective method of alleviating this loneliness.

GFA’s Amelia Walker chatted with Salt 106.5’s Jordana this week, about this important issue.

“Mental health impacts a significant proportion of expectant and new parents,” Amelia said.

“It’s really common to feel overwhelmed and stressed during pregnancy or when you’re looking after a new baby.

“It does take time to adjust to this new life stage and to get to know your baby and just to learn how to manage a new life and understand who you are at this time.”

“Mental health impacts a significant proportion of expectant and new parents,” Amelia said.

Sometimes, it’s the small things that help, even finding some practical, accessible mood boosters in a tough moment.

“Just staying connected to people is a really important one,” Amelia said.

“Just simple things like breathing exercises or mindfulness or gratitude.

“They can sound so simple, but they’re evidence based and there’s availability on all sorts of apps.

“Also, just checking in with the people around you to be able to get those understandings from other people about their experiences, sharing stories, offering practical support to one another, that sort of thing.”

Small, accessible mood boosters like breathing exercises, mindfulness or gratitude may help during tough moments.

GFA is launching series two of their podcast 1 in 5 Mothers 1 in 10 Fathers to continue supporting new parents.

The podcast features conversations about grief and loss, single parenting, multiple births, PNDA during pregnancy and ADHD as a parent. Presenter Davina Smith will be joined by parents and experts, with the aim to utilise the powerful role of sharing lived experiences of perinatal mental health issues to reduce the stigma and help people open up to others.

To learn more or to listen to the podcast, visit gidgetfoundation.org.au.

Hear the full conversation in the listener above.

Help is available

For support visit:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (or chat online)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (or chat online)
• NSW Health’s Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76
• Headspace:1800 650 890
• ReachOut at au.reachout.com
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
• Salt 106.5 Careline: 07 5400 2754

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro