An evidence-based digital program helping mothers manage stress without alcohol
Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub trial is recruiting soon
Becoming a mum and raising a child can be a beautiful and rewarding experience. But it can also be a time of stress and overwhelm, which can have profound effects on mental health. Without proper support, many mums turn to alcohol to as a way of coping. This program will help vulnerable mothers who may not seek traditional treatment due to time constraints and inconvenience. We will offer an evidence-based program and resources in a way that is accessible, time-savvy, and tailored to a new mum’s needs.
If you’re interested in taking part in our study, visit our Contact Us page to leave your details and be notified when the study launches.
Contact the study team
Developed by psychologists and researchers, and co-designed with mothers who have lived experience.
Drawing on over 15 years of research into the most effective ways to treat anxiety and alcohol use, the Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub program offers six free self-guided modules, plus two telehealth calls with a psychologist, to help mums manage anxiety and build healthier habits around alcohol. The program uses evidence-based therapies recommended in Australian clinical practice guidelines for anxiety, alcohol, and co-occurring conditions.
How the program works
The Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub program is currently available to mums with a child under 3 years of age (at no cost to you) as part of a research trial being conducted by the University of Sydney.
There are 5 steps involved to participate in our trial:
Register
Register via this website and complete a short survey to check if the study is a good fit for you.
Good fit?
If the program is a good fit for you, you will have a quick chat with one of the study psychologists and complete a longer survey to build our understanding of your anxiety, drinking and mental health concerns.
Randomly grouped
You will be randomly allocated into one of two groups who will either i) receive immediate access to the Healthy Mum, Health Bub anxiety and alcohol program or ii) be placed on a waitlist to receive the program after 4 months.
Project requirements
The Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub group will be asked to complete 6 digital modules and two telehealth calls with a psychologist. The control group will get a list of support services and later access to the program.
Follow-up surveys
You will get email/SMS prompts to complete a follow up survey after 2 and 4 months to track changes to your anxiety and drinking. You will be reimbursed with a voucher per survey.
Register
Register via this website and complete a short survey to check if the study is a good fit for you.
Good fit?
If the program is a good fit for you, you will have a quick chat with one of the study psychologists and complete a longer survey to build our understanding of your anxiety, drinking and mental health concerns.
Randomly grouped
You will be randomly allocated into one of two groups who will either i) receive immediate access to the Healthy Mum, Health Bub anxiety and alcohol program or ii) be placed on a waitlist to receive the program after 4 months.
Project requirements
The Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub group will be asked to complete 6 digital modules and two telehealth calls with a psychologist. The control group will get a list of support services and later access to the program.
Follow-up surveys
You will get email/SMS prompts to complete a follow up survey after 2 and 4 months to track changes to your anxiety and drinking. You will be reimbursed with a voucher per survey.
An overview of the Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub program
The Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub program contains six sequential modules that are grounded in two evidence-based approaches for treating anxiety and alcohol use concerns, known as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Here is a snapshot of the module content areas.
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MODULE 1Understanding anxiety, alcohol, & setting goals -
MODULE 2Challenging unhelpful thoughts -
MODULE 3Drinking thinking & proactive problem solving -
MODULE 4Facing fears through small behavioural experiments -
MODULE 5Developing supportive friendships & looking toward the future -
MODULE 6Implementing self care & staying on track
Who is the study suitable for?
The study is suitable for Australian mothers aged 18 years or older who experience anxiety and have concerns around their alcohol use during the first 3 years after having a baby.
While the Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub program and our study is delivered online, we are not a crisis service. If you’re feeling suicidal or unsafe, please reach out now to one of the services listed on the Urgent Help page.
The program is suitable for mums who are ready to commit about 1 hour per week to develop skills to better manage their anxiety and drinking.
