Table 6 Young mothers’ recommendations for mental health care professionals

1. Understand the connection between mental health and social and economic circumstances

For young mothers, often parenting alone, mental health is connected to their social and economic circumstances. Be prepared to understand and address not only mental health concerns, but social determinants of health including how to access affordable, safe housing, income support, safe childcare and employment opportunities

2. Be present and personable

In each encounter, take a few minutes to get to know the client as an individual. Be warm, genuine and interested in their responses. Being present means not looking at the phone, multi-tasking, looking “rushed” or trying to quickly get through the appointment

3. Be respectful

Young mothers want to be understood and respected. Avoid treating them like a child which means NOT talking down to them, telling them what to do, talking to their parents instead or sharing their information/experiences with family members/other services without consent. Do not rush to judge their language or behaviours without taking the time to understand their circumstances and identify their strengths

4. Be patient

Recognize that it may take time for a young mother to feel safe to share her experiences, to be able to even describe what she is feeling, or to articulate what she needs. Be patient and don’t rush the session

5. Actively listen

Ask questions and listen without interruption. It may take time for the client to feel safe enough to share their experiences, so go slow, ask general questions first and listen to what they share

6. Minimize the use of medical jargon

Recognize that young mothers may not speak or understand the language or terms used by health care professionals. The burden should not be on the client to try to figure out or interpret the information being shared with them. Avoid using medical jargon; when a medical or health term is used (e.g., even a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, or a referral to “CBT”), pause and ask the client to share their understanding of the term, ask if they have questions, and provide clarification respectfully as required

7. Engage in agenda-matching

There is often a mismatch between what the client needs immediate support with and what the provider wants to first address. Prioritize the client’s needs; ask them to identify issue that is most important for them to resolve first. Sessions should be client-centered and not driven by the provider’s “agenda.”

8. Explore options and offer clients choices

When determining a next course of action, treatment, or referral to another service, share the range of options with the client. Explain and describe each option. Avoid the use of the term “mandatory” or any language that infers to the client that they have “no choice” and that they “must” complete a program (e.g., complete an anger management program)

9. Focus on solutions

While it is important for clients to understand their mental health issues, they would like to be able to leave each session with practical solutions and strategies, tailored to their circumstances, that they can implement to “move forward.”