A mental health app developed by West Australian researchers has been shown to increase long-term mental health skills in perinatal women.
The new app, developed by researchers at ORIGINS, Joondalup Health Campus and The Kids Research Institute Australia, provides three downloadable stress-reduction training programs: meditation, mindfulness and breathing techniques.
The app was developed under the Mums Minds Matter banner, a sub-project of ORIGINS investigating the most effective resources to support mothers’ emotional heath before, during and after pregnancy.
ORIGINS co-director Dr Jackie Davis said there was minimal research into the uptake and long-term engagement of wellbeing apps amongst perinatal women, and there were few existing apps targeting women before and after pregnancy that built positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
“Maternal psychological distress, that is prolonged stress, anxiety and depression, is related to poorer physical and mental health in mothers, as well as developmental problems in their children,” Dr Davis said.
“Research strongly supports that early intervention and prevention of psychological distress in women is fundamentally important in supporting the mental and physical development of both child and mother.
“The sustained use of skills learned through the study’s app implies that digital mental health interventions have the potential to be an affordable and effective treatment to help mothers struggling emotionally.”
ORIGINS is a longitudinal cohort study following the health of 10,000 children and families from birth.
The study, run by the Joondalup Health Campus and The Kids Research Institute, aims to promote life-long wellbeing and community flourishing.
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After receiving one of three, eight-week stress reduction training programs, participants said the app had helped them nearly 12 months later to continue their regular relaxation through breathing exercises and visualisations.
Mums Minds Matter participant Ghislaine Platell said the app helped her embrace slowing down and being present, which she knew she needed to do but had found it harder to adopt than expected.
“I’ve always dealt with mild anxiety, but after I received my ADHD diagnosis, while pregnant with my second child, I joined Mums Minds Matter because I know my mental health is important, and I wanted to know how it impacted my children as well,” Ms Platell said.
“Having an awareness of your own mental state while you’re parenting enables you to be your best, most-calm self for them.”
She said the study had highlighted the importance of prioritising her own mental health for her own benefit but would also teach her children positive habits.
“It’s so beneficial. I know myself that changing behaviours later in life is trickier in theory,” she said.