Creating generational change in mental health for Australia’s young girls and women is the driving force behind a new 3-year strategic partnership between leading mental health not-for-profit Smiling Mind and the Sisterhood Foundation, the corporate foundation affiliated with Wesfarmers Health. Together we aim to positively impact 2 million women and girls.
Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by Australia’s mental health crisis, with one in two Australian women currently experiencing some form of mental health issue and girls as young as 14 experiencing life changing mental health hurdles such as body dysmorphia, social phobias and self-harm behaviours. Despite increases in women’s workforce participation, women still absorb more of the unpaid care burden. Two in five working women in Australia state their mental health has deteriorated in the past 12 months due to their work demands.
The Sisterhood Foundation has a long history of building capability in frontline charities committed to creating positive health outcomes in the lives of women and girls, and with over 70% of Smiling Mind’s adult users being women, together they are committed to addressing the frighteningly large gap in the mental health resources available to address their unique needs.
Smiling Mind CEO, Sarah La Roche, emphasises the transformative potential of this partnership in addressing the specific needs of women and girls:
“This partnership is a bold step toward a brighter future for every woman and girl across Australia. With the support of the Sisterhood Foundation, we’re amplifying the incredible voices and strengths of women and girls, addressing their unique needs to empower them to proactively build mental fitness skills to thrive. In turn we aim to reduce the prevalence of mental ill health amongst women and girls in our communities."
The Sisterhood Foundation Executive Officer, Katie McLeish, shares this vision, with a commitment to filling a critical gap.
“By hearing and acknowledging women and girls, we’ll break down the barriers and shine a light on their unique mental health issues, many of which are otherwise often neglected or ignored. We are delighted to welcome Smiling Mind to our portfolio of charity partners, which has grown to 8 incredible charities, all focused on improving health outcomes for Australian women and girls. Together, we’re setting the foundation for transformative, lasting change in mental health outcomes that will empower generations to come.”
Together, Smiling Mind and the Sisterhood Foundation will deliver innovative, relevant and impactful mental fitness content to drive generational change in mental health, building capacity through best-in-class programs, products, and services that empower young women and girls to thrive throughout their lives.
The partnership’s four key focus areas will drive Smiling Mind’s capacity to:
- Tailor access pathways for women and girls into the Smiling Mind ecosystem to break down barriers to accessing support.
- Create targeted programs and resources that respond to women’s and girls’ unique needs and preferences.
- Design accessible and tailored user interfaces and experiences aimed specifically at women and girls to increase engagement.
- Evaluate the impact of targeted mental fitness interventions on the mental wellbeing of women and girls, and use findings to optimise programs and resources.
By addressing women and girls’ often-overlooked mental health needs, the Sisterhood Foundation and Smiling Mind are committed to fostering a future where women and girls are empowered to overcome life’s challenges and thrive.
