Grace and Co. are hosting a panel discussion on navigating motherhood on Saturday May 10, giving mothers the chance to discuss the intercultural intricacies of the experience.

Lueth Garang of Grace and Co. says her support system began with her mother with both her pregnancies, but other women do not have such a support system.

“Without support, it risks going down post-partum depression, which is not something we want.”

In Western Australia 44.6 per cent of the population is a family with children, only 20.1 per cent being without a mother. Audio: Rhiannon Mayers.

Priscilla Arthur became a single mother in 2022 after her husband passed away, leaving her to raise their child alone.

Mrs Arthur says the adjustment from being in a family with a partner to bounce decisions and insecurities off to not having one was confrontational. She said it is vital for mothers who lose their partners to have a support system.

“I think for mothers there is that stress because they have a whole new human to look after and no one to share it with.”

Having a concrete support system is proven to help women’s depressive symptoms. These support systems can include anyone from family and friends to neighbours and colleagues.

Mother and Grandmother Danielle Way says her support lay mostly in friends made through her children and her new husband.

She raised her two daughters from her previous husband alone, and relied on friends to help look after her daughters until she could make it home as a working mother.

This friend has continued to stand by her and has helped her with looking after her grandson, of which she currently has primary custody.

Having this constant support of her friend who had children the same age as hers, allowed Mrs Way some emotional assistance and someone to talk to about raising daughters.

Calm, a mental health website, says that being part of a mothers groups can help mothers overcome loneliness, mother’s guilt and build a community among other things, overall one’s individual mental health.

Sarah Ioannidis from Motherhood Era Psychology says having assistance from those inside the home and outside the home are incredibly important for the mother post-birth.

“Many mothers feel the pressure to give in to everyone else and let people visit before they’re physically ready, and they just need people to help and maybe leave meals outside and not expect them to let them in.”

With Mother’s Day coming up on Sunday, it gives the whole family a chance to make her feel good.

Research suggests helping mum feel good about herself can be as simple as telling them how amazing they are. Children benefit too, because they feel more seen by mothers and parents who are happy to be with them.

So there is no excuse not to tell mum you love her and she is amazing this Mother’s Day.