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I struggled with asking for help. I still struggle now. I know that's going to be something a lot of other people...Dads, Mums struggle with...you know, there's the feeling like you shouldn't need to ask for help” (Young Dad)
I think it’s challenging to get young mums involved with speaking openly about their mental health as they already feel judged by society and fear that mental health struggles will add to that judgment” (Young Mum)
The AADAPT study, led by Associate Professors Louise Dalton and Elizabeth Rapa, is looking at ways to help new mums and dads aged between 16 and 24 who are experiencing low mood and stress.
They are using an online therapy called ‘Behavioural Activation', as well as providing information and activities for young parents to build their babies’ brains. Some parents will also receive support from ‘Parent Buddies’, who have had their own experience of being a young parent and have been specially trained by the AADAPT team.
A parent buddy who is taking part in the study said: “I wanted to become a parent buddy as I myself went through low mood when I had my child and having experience with that I wanted to help someone else going through similar to make sure they know they aren’t alone in this.”
Associate Professor Dalton said: “Being a new parent can be really challenging and stressful for everyone, but the data shows that this can be particularly common in adolescent parents (age 16-24) with rates of depression being three times higher than among older mothers.
“This can impact not only on the young parents but can also make being a parent feel even harder.
“Having support from someone who knows what it’s like to be a young parent can help, so the idea is that ‘parent buddies’ will encourage and help them through the online activities and think about how to use the ideas in their day to day life.”
Nearly a third of young parents say they always or often feel lonely, while some younger mothers may hide poor mental health symptoms due to worry, shame and stigma.
Associate Professor Rapa said: “Behavioural Activation (BA) has been shown to help people with depression in other studies, but we want to see if a series of online BA sessions can improve young parent’s mental health and help build their relationship with their baby. If it does, it could be rolled out more widely to support all young parents struggling with their mental health.”
The AADAPT research project is supported by the Prudence Trust.
For more information, sign up or call 01865 618330.