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  • WayAhead Programs ☰
        • WayAhead Directory

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          Online directory of mental health and community services

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        • Anxiety Support Groups

          Free support groups for friends, family and those with anxiety or OCD

          Find a group near you →
        • Mental Health Month

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          Encouraging good mental health and wellbeing throughout October

          See this year’s campaign →
        • Small Steps

          Seminars and resources for parents and teachers of primary school children

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        • Mental Health Matters Awards

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          Celebrating exceptional work across NSW in the mental health sector

          Take a look at the Awards →
        • Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness

          Supporting expecting or new parents and their families

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        • WayAhead Workplaces

          Inspire, network, support

          Connect with others interested in employee health and wellbeing

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        • Stress Less Tips

          Tips to reduce stress and encourage wellbeing

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  • About WayAhead
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        • At WayAhead, we work every day to educate people throughout New South Wales on mental health and wellbeing and link them to services and resources that improve their mental health.
          Our vision is for a society that understands, values and actively supports the best possible mental health and wellbeing.
        • How we work for better mental health

          We work towards better mental health and wellbeing through:

          • The co-ordination of mental health promotion activities such as Mental Health Month NSW, WayAhead Workplaces, Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week and Stress Less Tips
          • Free anxiety support groups throughout NSW
          • The provision of mental health information – the WayAhead Directory, mental health factsheets
          • Education seminars such as or Understanding Anxiety Forums and Professional Development Workshops – for people living with a mental health condition, the public and health care professionals
          • Small Steps workshops for parents and school teachers to raise awareness and improve recognition of anxiety disorders in children.
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Perinatal Mental Health Awareness

Perinatal Mental Health Awareness

Are you 1 in 5?

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Resource Orders

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Orders are now open for our free fold-out cards which include handy information about what to look out for and how to support yourself or others who might be experiencing perinatal mental health issues.

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Stress Less Tips

Privacy Policy | Feedback and Complaints

WayAhead is supported by the NSW Government

WayAhead is an ACNC registered
Australian Charity and is QIP accredited.

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Ask for Support

Friends, family, even online communities can be a good source of support with things like advice, babysitting and even home-cooked meals when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Offer Support

Parents might not want to ask for help so making specific offers can be useful, like doing laundry, cooking a meal or minding the baby while they sleep.

Chat with Adults

Joining a parents group, talking on the phone or inviting friends over – even if the house is a mess – is a great way to fight isolation and stay connected.

Talk to your GP

Feeling a range of emotions is normal, but if something doesn’t feel right, speaking to a health professional is a good idea. It’s important to trust yourself and there’s no shame in asking for help.

Feed your Soul

Favourite comfort foods or meals cooked by friends can be a great way to relax and recharge.

Celebrate the Wins

There’s a lot of pressure on parents to not get things wrong so it’s important to recognise even the smallest positives too, even if it’s a bit more sleep for you or the baby.

Have a Laugh

Parenting can be stressful but some moments can also be very funny. Our brains are wired to respond to laughter and smiles, generating feel good chemicals, which can also help increase the bond with your baby and with others.

Get Moving

Going for a walk or to a parents and infants activity group is a good way to get outside and get active. Many community centres run a range of activities for low or no charge.

Take Time for Yourself

It’s important to take time to follow your passions and interests, whether it’s reading a book, listening to music or even spending five minutes on an old hobby.

Reach Out

Parenting can be isolating so keep in touch, especially if it feels like they have disappeared. Phone calls and casual meet ups wherever is convenient for them can be great.

Encourage Help Seeking

Keep an eye out to see if they seem overwhelmed or down and offer to go with them to see their doctor or research services in their area, if they need.

Share a Meal

Find out what they like to eat and offer to prepare it. They might not have had the time or energy to cook and enjoy meals in a while.

Celebrate the Wins

Take time to point out all the good things that they are doing, not just for their baby but also for themselves, as they might not notice it or realise it.

Share a Laugh

Find out what makes them laugh and then do it, like sharing funny things on the internet, telling hilarious anecdotes or dancing together.

Invite them to get moving

Ask to meet you (e.g. in a park) and offer to push the stroller or invite them to a gentle exercise class. Being active is easier with friends to share it with.

Give them Time to Themselves

Support to have some down time could be really useful. Offers of babysitting, even an hour or two for some time to do their own thing, could be great.

 

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