Smiling Mind and the Sisterhood Foundation are joining forces to create a brighter future for Australia’s women and girls, breaking down barriers to support to respond to their unique mental health needs.
Together we’re delivering innovative, accessible tools to build lifelong mental fitness as part of a long-term commitment to reach 2 million women and girls and create generational change in mental health.
Women and girls in Australia face unique and often overlooked mental health challenges—with 1 in 2 living with a mental health condition, and 1 in 4 experiencing severe distress¹.
Behind these statistics are real people—women quietly carrying the weight of anxiety, depression, trauma and exhaustion while juggling the demands of work, care, motherhood and health.
Women and girls need better support. The September 2025 report from the Sisterhood Foundation and Monash University explores the silent health issues affecting women and girls in Australia.
¹Liptember Foundation. (2025). Women's Mental Health Research 2025. https://www.liptemberfoundation.org.au/research
The latest research shows women carry a disproportionate share of unpaid caregiving work²—a load that’s significantly affecting their mental and physical health. Smiling Mind’s 2024 State of Mind Report found that 85% of parents and caregivers are experiencing signs of stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. Nearly three in four (72%) feel overwhelmed every week, and 1 in 4 feel overwhelmed every single day.
We also know that parental mental health is closely linked to children’s wellbeing, and supporting the mental fitness of parents—particularly mums and primary caregivers—is one of the most meaningful ways we can support children, families and future generations.
We’re starting with tools to meet women and caregivers where they are to ease the mental load and rebuild a sense of balance and connection. This is just the beginning. We’re listening and responding with new content, improved experiences, and more accessible pathways to break down barriers to support.
²Ervin et al., 2023
Personalised, engaging, and accessible programs designed to meet parents’ unique needs before things reach breaking point.
These new targeted, easy-to-use programs are available in the free Smiling Mind App to address key challenges of stress, burnout, and social connection, helping women and caregivers build mental fitness and wellbeing at their own pace.
Try them out and help shape the future of mental fitness for women and girls.
Printable flyer
Perfect for waiting rooms, noticeboards, community centres, clinics or parent groups - print and share to help more women and girls
Social media
Download and share with your network to let them know they can check out these new mental fitness pathways in the free @SmilingMind App to help spread the word.
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We're curating a series of short videos featuring Australian parents and caregivers. Get in touch to learn more!
It’s time to break down barriers to mental health support for women and girls. 1 in 2 women in Australia live with a mental health condition, and support is often out of reach. In partnership with the Sisterhood Foundation, Smiling Mind is breaking down barriers with free, evidence-based mental fitness resources designed to meet women and caregivers’ unique mental health needs. The new Recharge and Connection guides in the free Smiling Mind App offer practical strategies to ease the mental load, strengthen connection and build resilience before they reach crisis point. Explore more, share with your networks or provide feedback to help women and girls thrive. https://www.smilingmind.com.au/womens-mental-health
This is the first step in a long-term commitment to better support the mental health of women and girls across Australia. In partnership with the Sisterhood Foundation, we’re creating accessible tools that respond to real needs and empower women and girls to proactively build the skills to be and feel their best — aiming to reach 2 million Australians, to create generational change in mental health.
Explore the story behind the partnership and what’s still to come.
