Shari & Latoya (Aboriginal Family Support Worker & Health Education Officer)
This interactive workshop presents Young Well Beings (YWB), a co-designed, online mental health and wellbeing resource created by young mothers, for young mothers aged 16–24 during the perinatal period. Young mothers experience unique mental health challenges shaped by stigma, isolation, and developmental transitions. Peer-informed, strengths-based resources designed and facilitated by young mothers themselves can increase relevance, engagement, and impact. Young mothers are at heightened risk of poor mental health yet often face barriers to accessing support, including stigma, lack of age-appropriate services, and limited social networks. Providing relatable, accessible, and non-judgmental tools can strengthen confidence, connection, and wellbeing across the perinatal journey. YWB is grounded in lived experience, co-design principles, and practice-based evidence gathered through working directly with young mothers and the practitioners who support them. The resource reflects common challenges identified in practice, such as low confidence, social isolation, unmet self-care needs, and internalised stereotypes, while embedding strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches. The development of the accompanying Facilitator’s Guide responds to practitioner demand for structured, flexible tools to support engagement with young mothers.
Participants will be introduced to YWB’s five modules: Mental Health and Wellbeing for Young Mums, Building Confidence, Building My Network, Self-care Strategies and Challenging stigma and stereotypes. Participants will:
- Gain insight into the mental health needs and lived realities of young mothers
- Explore how co-designed, peer-led approaches enhance engagement and outcomes
- Become familiar with the YWB resource and Facilitator’s Guide
- Practice applying practical tools and activities from the modules
- Leave with ready-to-use strategies and materials to support young mothers in their own settings
This hands-on session will be co-facilitated by two young mothers, Shari and Latoya, who now deliver programs for their peers, and will prioritise practical application, equipping participants with adaptable resources to immediately integrate into their work with young pregnant and parenting mothers.