PIRI: Parent-Infant Research Institute

26/11/2025

Supporting Parents of Multiples

“Sharing your birth and parenting story is important for all parents. But for multiple birth parents, to be a part of a community who can appreciate the details of your story and say ‘me too’ is a huge comfort. It helps combat isolation, loneliness and postpartum depression.”
— Laura Wilson

Welcoming twins, triplets or more into your family is a joyful but incredibly demanding experience. The round-the-clock care, sleepless nights and constant feeding schedules can quickly become overwhelming, leaving little time for rest or connection. It is no wonder that many parents of multiples experience deep feelings of isolation and exhaustion.

The challenges faced by parents of multiples are unique. Research shows that parents caring for more than one baby at a time are significantly more likely to experience mental health difficulties in the first year. Having access to a community of others who truly understand what this feels like can make a real difference.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we recognise the importance of connection, compassion and specialised support. Websites such as MumSpace and DadSpace provide accessible, evidence-based tools and links to communities that can help reduce feelings of isolation and support positive mental health.

Finding your tribe matters. Whether it is through local support groups, online communities or organisations such as AMBA, connecting with others who have lived the same experience can bring both comfort and strength.

Visit www.pmhweek.org.au to connect with others who understand your journey.
For additional support, visit www.mumspace.com.au and www.dadspace.com.au

25/11/2025

Supporting Fathers and Partners

“I used to think being stressed meant I was failing as a dad. Now I know it just means I am human. Life with kids will always be messy, but it is how we manage the pressure that makes the difference.”
— Arran MacDougall

New dads and partners, this one is for you. The expectation to be a provider and a source of strength can feel enormous. It is easy to believe that you must have all the answers and never show a sign of struggle, but that kind of pressure can take a real toll on your mental health. It is time to challenge that belief and reach out for the support you deserve.

Your mental health matters. Feeling stressed or overwhelmed does not mean you are failing. It means you are human. Seeking help is a sign of courage and care for yourself and your family.

There are supports designed specifically for fathers and partners that recognise the unique challenges you face. At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we are proud to provide evidence-based tools and programs such as DadBooster, created to help dads strengthen their wellbeing and connection with their families.

If you are a father, remember that help is available. If you know a father, take a moment to check in with him. Together, we can ensure that everyone gets the support they need, when they need it.

Fathers and partners, you are not alone. Find the specific support you need by visiting www.pmhweek.org.au

For additional resources, visit www.mumspace.com.au and www.dadspace.com.au

24/11/2025

The Power of Peer Support

“From my Caring Mums first visit, I felt appreciated, validated, and less alone. I looked forward to her weekly visits; they became my safe space to release emotions.”
— Maria Luisa Fernandez

Sometimes, the most meaningful support comes from someone who truly understands. A peer-to-peer connection can provide a powerful sense of belonging and relief, offering a safe space where you can share your story without judgment and know that you are not alone.

Peer support can help you feel understood in a way that nothing else can. It can ease isolation and offer practical insights drawn from lived experience. Support can take many forms, from structured programs to casual meet-ups or online communities. The key is finding what feels right for you so that you can access what you need, when you need it.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we recognise the value of connection in the journey of parenthood. Programs such as MumSpace and DadSpace link parents to evidence-based tools and communities designed to foster that same sense of understanding and connection.

Visit www.pmhweek.org.au to connect with others in your community.
For additional support, visit www.mumspace.com.au and www.dadspace.com.au

24/11/2025

MumMoodBooster – Support for Mums with a Baby

Postnatal depression can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. MumMoodBooster is a free, evidence-based online program designed to help you gently regain confidence, lift your mood, and feel more like yourself again.

With six supportive online sessions, practical tools, and an optional partner program, you can work through the program privately, at your own pace, from home.

You can start on your own or with the support of your GP or health professional. If you have already been referred, you can begin right away.

Take the first step today. Your wellbeing matters.
Explore the program at https://www.mumspace.com.au/online-treatments/

23/11/2025

Grief and Loss During the Perinatal Period

“Alby was my first-born son and he was full of life. He loved cars, cake, and his favourite colour was ‘rainbow.’”
— Kim Dang McDonald

Today we acknowledge the many forms of grief and loss that can occur during the perinatal period. This may include the loss of a pregnancy, an infant, a birth experience, or even the loss of the future you had imagined. Your grief is real, valid, and deserves to be recognised. You do not have to carry this alone.

Grief is deeply personal. There is no right or wrong way to experience it. It can feel isolating, but you are not alone in your feelings.

We also recognise that while friends and family often want to help, words intended to comfort can sometimes minimise the pain of loss. What truly helps is compassionate, non-judgmental support that allows space for your grief to be felt and expressed.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we know that healing takes time and that support matters. There are communities and professionals who understand this unique journey and can provide the specialised care you need, when you need it most.

Find support when you need it most at www.pmhweek.org.au

For additional help and information, visit www.mumspace.com.au and www.dadspace.com.au

22/11/2025

You Are Not Alone

“As rural women, we are often labelled as ‘tough’ and told to have a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude, but that’s simply not the case… We are not alone, and it’s okay not to be okay.”
— Alison Gossage

Living and parenting in rural or remote communities can bring a deep sense of isolation, a feeling that you’re navigating everything on your own. These emotions are valid and common. They do not mean you’re not strong enough. They reflect the unique pressures of raising children while managing life on the land, often far from family, friends, and professional support.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we understand that support should meet you where you are, both geographically and emotionally. That’s why programs like MumSpace and DadSpace provide free, accessible, evidence-based support for new and expecting parents across Australia.

If you’re feeling disconnected or overwhelmed, know that you don’t have to face it alone. There is understanding and help available — what you need, when you need it.

Visit www.pmhweek.org.au
to learn more about Perinatal Mental Health Week and find your village.
For extra support, visit www.mumspace.com.au
and www.dadspace.com.au

21/11/2025

Mum2BMoodBooster – Support for Expecting Mums

Depression and anxiety during pregnancy can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Mum2BMoodBooster is a free, evidence-based online program designed to support your emotional wellbeing as you prepare for the arrival of your baby.

With six flexible online sessions, practical tools, and an optional partner program, you can work through the program privately, at your own pace, from home.

You can begin on your own or with support from your GP or another health professional. If you’ve already been referred, you can start right away.

Take a gentle step toward feeling better.
Find the program at https://www.mumspace.com.au/online-treatments/

20/11/2025

MindMum App – When You Need Extra Support

Pregnancy and early parenthood bring big changes. Alongside the excitement, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, worried, or unsure at times. The MindMum app is here to support you through those moments.

MindMum is a free smartphone app designed to help expectant and new mums manage life’s ups and downs with practical, evidence-based strategies. From lifting your mood to strengthening relationships, calming anxiety, tracking your feelings, and planning small positive moments, MindMum helps you feel more supported and confident.

Whether you’re navigating pregnancy or settling into life with your little one, MindMum offers gentle guidance to help you feel your best.

Download the app and explore tools made to support your emotional wellbeing.
Learn more at https://www.mumspace.com.au/when-you-need-extra-help/

18/11/2025

Supporting the emotional wellbeing of new and expectant parents.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we are committed to improving perinatal mental health through evidence based, accessible digital support.

The MumSpace website brings together a suite of free, accredited programs to help parents navigate pregnancy, early parenting and the emotional changes that come with it.

Available programs include:

✨ MumMoodBooster for postnatal depression and anxiety

✨ Mum2BMoodBooster for antenatal depression and anxiety

✨ MoodBooster Clinician Portal supporting health professionals with streamlined referrals

✨ MindMum App offering practical tools for day to day challenges

✨ Baby Steps supporting the wellbeing of new parents and their babies

✨ What Were We Thinking helping build confidence and reduce stress

All programs on MumSpace are accredited to the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards, ensuring high quality, research driven support.

Explore the full range of resources at www.mumspace.com.au

17/11/2025

SAVE THE DATE: Perinatal Mental Health Week 2025 (23–29 November)

The journey into parenthood is profound, yet 1 in 5 Australian mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experience perinatal anxiety or depression annually. This critical issue affects over 100,000 parents, many of whom struggle in silence.

Perinatal Mental Health Week is fast approaching! This national campaign is a powerful collaboration of 67 organisations committed to reducing stigma and ensuring expectant and new parents get the support they need.

Join us from November 23rd to 29th as we focus on what you need, when you need it.

You can help by: sharing information during the week and encouraging others to check in with the parents in their lives. A single conversation can be the first step that changes everything.

Post to your community, share resources, and help spread the message:
Official Website: https://www.pmhweek.org.au/
Follow:


Together, we can ensure every family receives the support they deserve in the first years that matter most.

➡️ Read our full post to learn more about PIRI's evidence-based programs like MumSpace and DadSpace and how PIRI is investing in the earliest years to build a brighter future: https://www.piri.org.au/perinatal-mental-health-week-2025/

Perinatal Mental Health Week 2025 (Nov 23-29). Learn why investing in early support for new parents matters & find free, evidence-based PIRI resources.

30/10/2025

Your Emotional Wellbeing, Supported Every Step of the Way

Navigating the journey of parenthood, from pregnancy to life with a new baby, can bring its own challenges. Know that you are not alone. The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) is dedicated to supporting perinatal mental health with a suite of free, nationally accredited digital programs, ensuring parents have access to trusted help whenever and wherever they need it.

👩🏻‍🍼 For mums, our main programs include MumMoodBooster for postnatal depression and anxiety, and Mum2BMoodBooster for antenatal depression and anxiety. Both are self-guided, confidential, and designed to provide effective treatment. For support for all new parents, there’s Baby Steps, while the MindMum App offers quick, practical tips for daily emotional wellbeing.

🤦‍♂️ For dads, DadSpace is your go-to hub for expert information, strategies, and tools to build confidence in fatherhood. And for those experiencing depression or anxiety, DadBooster is Australia’s first free online treatment program designed specifically for fathers.

All programs meet the rigorous National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care.

Support for your emotional wellbeing is available anytime, anywhere. Take your first step today at MumSpace (www.mumspace.com.au) or DadSpace (www.dadspace.com.au).

30/10/2025

Becoming a new mother is a profound change in life, but it can also bring unexpected challenges. One common and serious challenge is postnatal depression. For healthcare workers supporting new mothers, identifying who needs help and connecting them to the right care can be difficult. This article explores a new digital tool called PIRIMID, designed to help nurses provide smarter, more personalised support to mothers experiencing depression after childbirth.

A new digital tool, PIRIMID, helps nurses support mothers with postnatal depression by guiding personalised care and improving early intervention outcomes.