Small grant program provides support for local mums and their families

As part of World Maternal Mental Health Day in May, the Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (SPIMH) Small Grant Program provided funding of up to $1,000 to support local events addressing the needs of women and their families. It was fantastic to see so many great activities and events hosted by organisations throughout WA to support the wellbeing of mothers, babies and their families.

Fremantle Women’s Health Centre hosted an event on World Maternal Mental Health Day that focused on celebration, titled “Recognising the Strength of Mums”. They worked in partnership with other community services like Meerilinga, Cockburn Chinese Community Group, Multicultural Futures, Communicare and many more to promote awareness of mental health services as well as wellbeing and self-care strategies. Those in attendance listened to a lived experience speaker from the community and a presentation on support services available for them to access. Participants were also treated to two interactive dance performances from the Cockburn Chinese Community which all but four of the 35 people attending participated in. Parents took home information packs that included resources on counselling services, how to boost their wellbeing, healthy eating and much more and found the event very enjoyable and useful.

South West Naturaliste hosted an event in Busselton to facilitate the connection between baby and mum. The local librarian conducted a session on the importance of reading and singing to baby, followed by a guided mother-baby massage session by local massage therapist who discussed the benefits of baby massage. The last activity was a “wait, watch and wonder” session where mums were educated about the importance and benefits of seeing the world through their babies’ eyes and wondering how they were thinking and feeling. Morning tea was provided as well as opportunity for mums to meet each other and form local connections. All participants took home a gift bag containing educational resources, books and baby massage oil.

Congratulations to all organisations who took part in the grant program and thank you for supporting the needs of WA mothers, babies and their families.