Mental Health Peer Support
for Young Women

Mental Health Peer Support
for Young Women

Mental Health Peer Support
for Young Women

Mental Health Peer Support for Young Women

      Why create this website?

      This website offers an online space that is different to others because it is informed by the lived experience of the young women who participated in our research. We understand that the realities of young women's day-to-day lives impact on mental health and wellbeing in unique ways. We recognise the specifically gendered challenges of sexism, misogyny, gendered violence and related trauma, and different types of social inequality that are experienced by many young women.

      This website promotes the incredible strengths of young women and supports their interest in helping other young women live socially-connected, satisfying lives. This website was created in the belief that many of the social issues faced by young women are shared, but that each individual has a unique response. For that reason, the website balances a social view of mental health and wellbeing with a belief that the best mental health support recognises that individual needs and preferences vary and that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not useful.

      Why just 'women'?

      The peer2me co-design journey

      ​‘I have some friends who are experiencing mental health difficulties and I have explained to them ways that have helped me through my journey and that has encouraged them to reach out to more help from a professional or try different coping techniques such as exercise, trying new hobbies, being creative, journaling and finding maybe another way that works for them as everyone is different…’

      An inclusive space for everyone

      This website has been developed with young women from different backgrounds in mind.

      The website and the resources within it aim to be inclusive of all people who identify as women or as non-binary. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, people who have a disability, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, women from diverse cultures and social positions.

      The website has been created using the vision and ideas of young women who contributed to a participatory action research project that explored the value of online mental health peer support for young women.

      They said that they wanted support for their mental health and wellbeing by connecting to and with other young women who have experienced similar challenges to theirs. These challenges often include gender inequality and discrimination, including gendered violence and the trauma that can follow. The young women also explained how mental health and wellbeing can be impacted by gendered roles such as mothering, pressure around body image and the mental load they carry trying to meet the unbalanced expectations of women.

      ​We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where this project took place. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging and celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded. ​

      'It's a very Aboriginal thing to do, to give younger people greater responsibilities within the community as they become able to take those responsibilities on. It is a culturally appropriate transfer of roles that involves respect in both directions...from the younger to the older and the older to the younger'
      Jackie Huggins

      A place
      to belong.

      Our School is specifically designed for young people that, for many different reasons, do not flourish in a conventional school setting.

      Youth Inc. is a vibrant, inclusive and affirming learning community that welcomes young people of all identities and lived experiences. We work hard to co-create a space of belonging, where our community feels seen, heard and valued for who they are and how they identify.

      Exploring and expressing who you are and/or who you want to be is at the heart of our program. We make space for you to explore how your values, strengths, passions, experiences, so you can be your true and full self at Youth Inc. Something we believe holds the keys to living a life that is meaningful to you.

      A school for
      your future.

      Our School design is based on two main and interconnected themes - be yourself; and change your world. Both of these things are about creating a better future.

      ‘Being yourself’ sounds easy, but we think it might be the hardest thing you ever do. Finding out who you are or want to become can take a whole lifetime to figure out. In a twist of irony, ‘change your world’ might appear even harder, but if you start small it can be surprisingly easy. Our School is designed to help you to do both.

      The world has changed, and it continues to change. And schools need to change too. For us, it’s not about keeping up. We need to help and prepare young people to lead the change! So, we have created a school where learning is an inspiring opportunity to better yourself, and the world around you.

      For more info go to:

      Learning Model

      A place
      to belong.

      Our school is specifically designed for young people that, for many different reasons, do not flourish in a conventional school setting.

      Youth Inc. is a vibrant, inclusive and affirming learning community that welcomes young people of all identities and lived experiences. We work hard to co-create a space of belonging, where our community feels seen, heard and valued for who they are and how they identify.

      Exploring and expressing who you are and/or who you want to be is at the heart of our program. We make space for you to explore how your values, strengths, passions, experiences, so you can be your true and full self at Youth Inc. Something we believe holds the keys to living a life that is meaningful to you.

      A school for
      your future.

      Our school design is based on two main and interconnected themes - Be yourself; and Change your world. Both of these things are about creating a better future.

      ‘Being yourself’ sounds easy, but we think it might be the hardest thing you ever do. Finding out who you are or want to become can take a whole lifetime to figure out. In a twist of irony, ‘Change your world’ might appear even harder, but if you start small it can be surprisingly easy. Our school is designed to help you to do both.

      The world has changed, and it continues to change. And schools need to change too. For us, it’s not about keeping up. We need to help and prepare young people to lead the change! So, we have created a school where learning is an inspiring opportunity to better yourself, and the world around you.

      For more info go to:

      Learning Model

      In the first stage of this project, our participants identified some of the structural factors underpinning mental ill-health and told us what helped them and their peers.

      Here's what they said...

      "The mental health care system is a minefield and often is more of a hinderance than a help…mental health treatment is very expensive and often inaccessible."
      "In a patriarchal society women should be receiving far greater services…increasing these services not only would mean that more women would seek help, but it destigmatises these issues."
      "I know that having someone listen non-judgementally and holding space for someone else’s big emotions is one of the best things you can do for others."
      "I have been able to encourage and relate to younger people with similar issues in regard to depression as I know what they are going through. They can also see through me that they can get better, and this isn’t how it’s going to be forever. That’s a massive thing for someone who is depressed as the illness takes away hope and can leave a person feeling stuck and like this will never get better…"
      "Online information is always helpful as it helps to understand what’s going on and know that others have been there and do get better…"

      "Some struggles are very unique to women and especially those from certain backgrounds…
      I’m straight and Caucasian but it would be good to have support for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and also Aboriginal women so they can feel safe and supported by peers and get specific information that can help them best..."

      "There is a real sense of ’sisterhood’ and caring for each other that comes when women are allowed the space to support each other. I think that women supporting women in an online space can only be a good thing…"

        Peer-to-peer Lived Experiences
        & Support Organisations

        We have created a directory of resources for you.
        Take me there

        Mental Health Peer Support for Young Women

        Mental Health Peer Support for Young Women.

        Mental Health Peer Support for Young Women

        Mental Health Peer Support for Young Women