‘Can Do’ for Young Mothers improves the capacity of general practice and the Divisions of General Practice to recognise and effectively respond to the needs of young pregnant women and young mothers at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues in their local community. It does this by strengthening, supporting and networking GPs and other key stakeholders who deliver health and community support services to young mothers at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues.

Key learning objectives
The overall educational goal of this accredited training program is to provide general practitioners, allied health professionals and other service providers with specific knowledge and skills to work with young mothers at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues to improve both the health of the mother and child.  On completion of this program, participants should be able to:

• describe the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs of young mothers between 12 and 26 years old
• demonstrate an increased awareness of the mental health and substance use issues relevant to young mothers
• demonstrate an increased understanding of why young mothers may use substances
• identify the physical, psychological and social risks to mother and child associated with substance use and mental health issues, both during pregnancy and after delivery
• demonstrate an increase the capacity of general practitioners, allied health professionals and other service providers to work with young mothers at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues
• demonstrate increased confidence in providing support and understanding required by young mothers with mental health and substance use issues
• identify health and community services at the local level, particularly those that engage with young mothers
• demonstrate an increase in ability and confidence in developing appropriate pathways of referral and care for people with mental health and substance use issues and their families and carers.

AGPN would like to acknowledge Dr Cate Howell, Michele Murphy, Charlotte Marshall, Melissa Opolski and Ros Yuen from CM Consulting SA: Workplace Health and Productivity for their time and hard work in researching and putting together ‘Can Do’ for Young Mothers.