Beyond Silence
Welcome to Beyond Silence, a vibrant initiative promoting mental well-being during and after pregnancy. We celebrate new parents and the impact of positive mental health on family bonding and baby development. Explore our resources, share your experiences, and give feedback to help us grow. Join us in spreading happiness and support for perinatal health. Together, we can make a difference.
About Beyond Silence
Beyond Silence is an initiative led by Dr. Osama Agami, in collaboration with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and South Eastern NSW Local Health District (SE NSW LDH). Our project focuses on enhancing mental well-being awareness among new mothers, recognizing its profound impact on family dynamics and baby development. We are committed to improving access to resources and support whenever needed.
Our Mission
At Beyond Silence, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of mental wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond. Inspired by the experiences of women themselves, our website serves as a platform to open discussions often forgotten and invite new mothers to participate in their mental health education.
Our Approach
We leverage routine antenatal and postnatal care visits as opportunities to distribute educational materials, foster open discussions, and gather insights from new mums. This engagement helps shape future strategies and enhances the support network, ensuring that mothers are not only heard but also have a hand in shaping the care they receive.
Join the Conversation
We invite health professionals to join us in these vital discussions and encourage new mothers to engage with our educational materials. Beyond navigating through our resources, we encourage you to share your experiences and tell us what you’d like to learn. Your feedback will help shape the future of perinatal mental health education.
Mental Wellbeing Education
Mental wellbeing education is a critical component of routine antenatal care and should be emphasized more widely. Raising awareness among women during pregnancy and beyond leads to a happier experience and better outcomes. It acts as a preventative measure to reduce the incidence of mental health disorders, improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, and enhance pregnancy and birth experiences.
The Importance of Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal mental health and wellbeing are crucial. Each year, 20% of new mothers and 10% of new fathers experience mental health disorders during pregnancy and after childbirth, affecting 100,000 Australian families. Many suffer in silence due to stigma, cultural pressures, financial constraints, and isolation. Awareness of available resources is limited, with 50% of those suffering from mental health disorders remaining undiagnosed, and only 10% receiving treatment.
Our Target Audience
We aim to support all perinatal families:
Those experiencing a normal pregnancy to maximize their outcomes.
Those who may be suffering but are not yet diagnosed with mental health issues.
Those who are diagnosed but not receiving the treatment or support they require.
Our goal is to improve outcomes for everyone by increasing the rate of accurate diagnosis and early treatment.
Empowering Mums, One Step at a Time
Supporting Mental Health and Well-being on the Journey of Pregnancy and Motherhood
At Beyond Silence, we believe that every mother deserves to feel seen, heard, and understood, especially during the transformative pregnancy and motherhood period. Inspired by our own experiences, triumphs, and struggles as mothers, we embarked on a mission to create a sanctuary where maternal mental health is prioritized, stigma is shattered, and mothers are empowered to embrace their journey with grace and resilience.
Websites
Here’s a concise overview of popular websites created to enhance the mental well-being of new mothers during and after pregnancy. These platforms provide an abundance of resources covering a broad spectrum of topics to accommodate your unique journey at any stage. These organisations offer valuable support and resources for individuals and families navigating perinatal mental health challenges in Australia.
COPE
COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) provides evidence-based information, resources, and support for expectant and new parents experiencing emotional challenges during the perinatal period.
Grand Pacific Health
Grand Pacific Health provides mental health support services for pregnant and postnatal women, including counseling and group programs
PANDA
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) offers support, information, and resources for individuals experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression.
The Gidget Foundation
The Gidget Foundation offers support for expectant and new parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, including counseling and telehealth services.
Head to Health
Head to Health is an Australian Government initiative that provides a comprehensive online portal with information, resources, and digital mental health tools for perinatal mental health support.
For When
ForWhen provides new and expecting parents—mums, dads, and guardians—with a caring, supportive mental health navigation service, to guide you and your family throughout your perinatal journey, from conception, up until your child is 12 months old.
Apps
Here’s a brief introduction to some of the most common apps that help support mums’ mental wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond, they can be easily found in your app store on your device.
These apps provide valuable resources and support for mothers to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing during the transformative journey of pregnancy and early parenthood. Each app offers unique features and approaches to mindfulness, meditation, and stress management, allowing users to find the tools that best suit their needs and preferences.
Mind Mum
Mind Mum is an app specifically designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of mothers during pregnancy and beyond. It offers a range of guided meditations, self-care exercises, and mood tracking tools to help manage stress, anxiety, and mood swings associated with pregnancy and early motherhood.
Headspace
Headspace offers a variety of guided meditation and mindfulness exercises to reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall mental wellbeing. While not specifically tailored to pregnancy, many of its resources can be beneficial for expectant and new mothers in managing the emotional challenges of motherhood.
Calm
Calm is a popular app that offers guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to promote mental wellbeing and relaxation. While not pregnancy-specific, its resources can be valuable for expectant and new mothers in managing anxiety, improving sleep quality, and fostering emotional resilience.
Mind the Bump
Developed by Beyond Blue in partnership with Smiling Mind, Mind the Bump is specifically designed to support the mental wellbeing of expecting and new parents. It provides guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and tools to help manage stress, anxiety, and mood changes during pregnancy and early parenthood.
Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is a meditation and mindfulness app designed for people of all ages, including pregnant women and new mothers. It offers guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and relaxation techniques to reduce stress, promote emotional balance, and enhance resilience during the perinatal period.
Our Featured Articles
Explore our curated selection of insightful articles tailored to support new mums on their journey through motherhood. From practical tips on baby care to discussions on mental health and self-care, each article is crafted with care and expertise to provide guidance, inspiration, and empowerment to mothers everywhere. Dive into our collection and discover valuable insights, heartfelt stories, and practical advice to help you navigate the joys and challenges of motherhood with confidence and resilience.
Contact
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, feedback, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out to us using the contact information below. Our team is here to assist you and will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call lifeline.