Conference explores emotional wellbeing of parents and how to help

12 May 2017

The real life insight of a mum who shared the ongoing effects of her experience of a traumatic childbirth was the reported highlight of the recent conference.

St John of God Raphael Services Blacktown Manager Associate Professor Maya Drum said this insight along with case studies presented by practising clinicians helped highlight to the audience the importance of early identification and intervention.

“This real life example, shared by mum Amy Dawes, made everyone in the audience so much more aware of the ongoing effects of a traumatic birth or a birth that did not go to plan,” Maya said.

Maya said the take home message from the conference for more than 100 health care professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, midwives and nurses in attendance was simple.

“The conference really focused on the importance of frontline health professionals being able to identify risks and signs of perinatal and infant mental health concerns, intervene early and refer to appropriate services for ongoing support when required,” she said.

“We were also able to highlight the resources available through our service and other health care providers.”

In its fourth year, the annual conference is designed to improve awareness and understanding of perinatal and infant mental health concerns among health professionals. Plans are already underway for next year’s conference.