Introductory video
Watch this short video to learn more about the PiP program and research trial.
Partners in Parenting (PiP): Improving access to PiP in the community
PiP is an evidence-based online program designed to help parents who are concerned about their teenager's anxiety and/or depression. It equips parents with strategies to improve their parenting confidence and support their teen's mental health. PiP covers common parenting challenges, such as communication, managing strong emotions, boundaries, conflicts, and staying involved in their teen's life while they navigate their independence.
Evidence-based parenting program
PiP is based on:
- High-quality research evidence and expert consensus
- Co-design with parents and teens with lived experience
- Consultation with lived experience professionals
4000+ families helped
Our research trials with over 4,000 Australian parents show that PiP is effective, with benefits for both parents and their children and teens.
If you’d like more information about the evidence for our programs, feel free to contact us.
Who is this program for?
Parents/guardians caring for a teen aged 12-17 years old who are, or have been, concerned about their teen's mental health (including anxiety and/or depression) within the past 6 months.
You will also need to:
- have regular contact with your teen
- live in Victoria, Australia
- be able to read, write, hear, and speak English
- have regular internet access (including email) and a device with video-conferencing capabilities
Please note that a member of the PiP team will confirm your eligibility for the trial and program (including a phone call) before you can sign up.
Is there anyone who can't take part in the program?
Due to the nature of the program, it is not suitable for families in the following circumstances:
- parents who are already receiving other professional parenting support (e.g., parenting program, family therapy) with or without their teen
- parents of teens with serious mental health problems that require prioritisation before anxiety and/or depression can be addressed
- parents who are currently experiencing a high level of personal distress or crisis
In the above circumstances, the PiP program is unlikely to provide the type or level of support appropriate for the teen and family.
Fits your lifestyle
- Only 20-30 minutes per online module
- Complete the program at your own pace
- Entirely online
- Both desktop and mobile versions available
Fun and interactive
- Learn practical strategies through interactive activities and video-based scenarios
- Hear from teenagers about how they feel about a range of topics, including when parents argue, how they'd like their parents to support them, and how they like to spend time together
- Apply your module learnings through weekly goals
Free to join
Joining PiP won't cost you a cent! You will receive a $40 e-gift voucher each time you complete the follow-up surveys ($80 total). If you and your teen agree for them to also take part, your teen will receive a $15 e-gift voucher for each survey they complete (up to $45 total).
What’s in store for you?
PiP aims to empower you to understand your teen's anxiety and/or depression, and respond with confidence.
Get personalised feedback
Your journey starts with an online assessment. This allows us to give you personalised feedback about what you're currently doing to support your teen's mental health. In addition to this feedback, we'll recommend specific online modules for you that provide further tips and strategies to help you best support your teen.
Will my teenager also need to take part?
The PiP program is for parents only, so your teen won't be involved in the program. However, to help us to evaluate the program, we will invite your teen to complete three online surveys (about 5-10 mins each) - one before you start the program, and two at the end of the program (at the same time as your follow-up surveys). The surveys will ask about your teen's mental health and how you support them. Your teen's participation is entirely optional, you can take part even if your teen prefers not to.
Access up to 10 interactive online modules
We will recommend you modules to complete, but you can choose the modules you want to do, and the order in which you do them.
Understanding anxiety and depression
It can be hard for parents to tell whether changes in their teen's behaviours are a normal part of adolescence, or a sign of a mental health problem. In this module, we'll take a closer look at depression and anxiety disorders in teens, including how you can support your teen's mental health now and into the future.
Connect
Connect is about empowering you to change your behaviour so you can positively influence your teenager. We'll talk about ways to build your relationship and communication with your teenager.
Breaking the anxiety cycle
We all feel anxious at times, and it's important for teenagers to learn to manage their everyday anxiety. 'From surviving to thriving: Helping your teenager deal with anxiety' will talk about ways that you can support your teenager to cope with the fears and worries they will inevitably face.
Raising good kids into great adults
Teenagers need the adults around them to set clear boundaries and expectations for their behaviour. This module will help you to establish clear expectations that your teen is likely to follow.
Calm versus conflict
Parents play an important role in helping their teenagers learn to manage conflict. 'Calm versus conflict' aims to help you manage conflict at home, to create a safe and supportive environment for your teenager.
Good friends = supportive relationships
As teenagers begin to place greater emphasis on their peers, parents still play an important role in helping their teens to develop social skills. This module helps you to support your teen to develop social skills across a variety of settings.
Nurture roots & inspire wings
'Nurture roots' is all about finding a balanced way to stay involved in your teenager's life while also allowing them to 'leave the nest' and develop age-appropriate independence.
Good health habits for good mental health
Getting enough sleep, eating well, being physically active, and not using alcohol or drugs can protect our physical and mental health. This module is all about helping you to support your teenager to develop good health habits.
Partners in problem solving
Problems are a part of life. As teenagers mature, they need to learn strategies to tackle the problems they will face throughout their life. 'Partners in problem solving' focuses on how you as a parent can support your teenager to develop good problem-solving skills.
Maintaining the gains
It is normal for a teenager's mental health to fluctuate. Maintaining the Gains is about how you can support your teen to continue looking after their mental health, even when challenges or setbacks arise.
Dad of a 16-year-old boy
I feel that it did reinforce ideas I already had about parenting and encouraged me to be really open with my son so he felt comfortable discussing his anxiety with me. Open communication is so important and the program encouraged this.
Mum of a 12-year-old boy
The course actually reminded me to trust the groundwork I had already laid with my kids and trust them to find a way through - which my son did! It was only a month or so before the boy I recognised returned and we were able to get our communication strategies back on track.
Dad with a Vietnamese background
This is a good program especially for parents from a migrant background. This program gave me insight about parenting in Australian context.
Step-mum of a 14-year-old girl
The program kept me reflecting on my parenting as different situations and challenges arise. I love the emails that remind me to get back online and do another unit every fortnight or so.
Dad of a 16-year-old boy
I feel that it did reinforce ideas I already had about parenting and encouraged me to be really open with my son so he felt comfortable discussing his anxiety with me. Open communication is so important and the program encouraged this.
Mum of a 12-year-old boy
The course actually reminded me to trust the groundwork I had already laid with my kids and trust them to find a way through - which my son did! It was only a month or so before the boy I recognised returned and we were able to get our communication strategies back on track.