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Parenting

On this page:

Online help & information
parenting support
perinatal mental health
parenting with a mental illness
Additional supports

Parents and carers have valuable skills and strengths that help children thrive. However, mental health challenges can make it harder to draw on these capabilities. Australian research shows that up to one in four children are raised by a parent with mental illness.
Emerging Minds Families offers practical, evidence-based resources, including videos, fact sheets, animations, and podcasts. Developed with input from families with lived experience and the latest research, these resources provide strategies to support parents, carers, and families.
The goal is to help build strong relationships, resilience, and a solid support system for families to grow and thrive.
To view the full Emerging Minds Families resource offering, you can visit their website.

Online help and information

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The Australian parenting website, with ad-free videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts.
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An online, anonymous and confidential mental health service for young people and their parents. Offering information, peer-support and referral tools.
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
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The MyAus App speaks your language.  The MyAus App is a free, multilingual tool that provides information for people settling and living in Australia. This innovative app is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about living, studying, or working in Australia. Whether it’s navigating public transport, opening a bank account, raising your family, accessing Medicare, or understanding your work rights, the app has you covered.
Available in 20 languages, MyAus App features English language practice and goal-setting tools to help you set up your life in Australia.
In-language information about family, domestic and sexual violence laws and services.
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Payments and services to help with the cost of raising a child. Information about childcare and child support. Help for teenagers becoming independent.
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Information on help if you’re in severe financial hardship, recovering from a disaster, or need special assistance.
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A 24-hour online service where you can communicate with a professional counsellor about an alcohol or drug-related concern.
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Report online abuse, and access free webinars and resources for parents to keep your child safe online. You can also find information on cyberbullying, parental controls, grooming, child sexual abuse online and online privacy. If you are experiencing tech abuse or coercive control you can find advice on how to stay safe in our domestic and family violence section.
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Parenting support

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Hours: 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1800 111 546
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If you are going through a difficult time, they can help you with short term counselling, information, referrals to support services.
Hours: 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: 136 150
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ailored help for all non-parent carers such as grandparent carers, foster carers, kinship carers and informal carers. They can:

  • tell you about payments and support services based on your needs
  • give you information about Medicare, Centrelink or Child Support
  • refer you to federal, state and community services in your area.

Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: 1800 245 965
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Help with strengthening family relationships, keeping families together, assisting families through separation.
Hours: 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm Saturdays.
Phone: 1800 050 321
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Perinatal mental health

Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood bring new challenges for expecting parents. While it’s an exciting time, both men and women can experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy (antenatal) and after childbirth (postnatal). Mothers may also develop postnatal psychosis, a rare but serious mental illness.

Perinatal mental illnesses are treatable, and with the right support, many people recover and go on to have more children.
Men’s Symptoms:

Symptoms in men may be similar, but some may also experience frustration, agitation, or outbursts of anger or rage, leading to feelings of shame or guilt.

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s important to seek help. Perinatal mental illnesses are treatable, and early intervention can make a significant difference in recovery.

Perinatal support

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Everyone’s experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and challenges.
Cost: Free
Phone: 1300 726 306
Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 7:30 pm (AEST)
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The Radiance Support group is a free group to help mums build resilience and improve their emotional wellbeing.  Support mums in building a relationship with their baby during the first months of parenthood and get mum to meet new friends in a welcoming and relaxed environment. Supporting the emotional wellbeing of parents and their journey into parenthood.
Cost: Free
Hours: 9.30 am to 11 am, Thursdays in Margaret River.
Phone: 0490 094 994
Email: admin@radiancesouthwest.com.au
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The Radiance website hosts a perinatal services directory: Support Service Finder

From pregnancy to preschool, guidance and reassurance every step of the way. You can receive confidential advice and support from Child Health Nurses and Counsellors.
Phone: 1800 882 436 (free call)
Hours: 7 am to midnight, seven days a week
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Parenting with mental illness

If you are not at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, you can obtain support or guidance from your GP or Child Health Nurse.

Your GP can assess your physical and mental health, discuss and offer treatment options, and refer you to an appropriate service as needed.
Click here to view a complete list of local GP’s and Mental Health Care Providers.

Parents and carers have valuable skills and strengths that help children thrive. However, mental health challenges can make it harder to draw on these capabilities. Australian research shows that up to one in four children are raised by a parent with mental illness.

Emerging Minds Families offers practical, evidence-based resources, including videos, fact sheets, animations, and podcasts. Developed with input from families with lived experience and the latest research, these resources provide strategies to support parents, carers, and families.

The goal is to help build strong relationships, resilience, and a solid support system for families to grow and thrive. 

To view the full Emerging Minds Families resource offering, you can visit their website.

Relevant websites

Additional support