Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Network
The Mental Health Network includes a unique Network structure.
The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Network was established on 15 February 2016, to address the difficulty in coordinating such a large network and to support the Mental Health Network to engage with and improve outcomes for specific cohorts of mental health service users.
The establishment of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Network followed a thorough process that sought to be inclusive, representative and reflect the concerns and views of the sector.
The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Network has a broad membership that is supported by a Steering Committee and is sponsored by the Women’s Health, Genetics and Mental Health, North Metropolitan Health Service.
The Steering Committee is co-chaired by Ms Rochelle Matacz and Ms CJ Heins.
The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Sub Network Establishment Report provides background on this Network and can be found here.
Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Plan (2023 – 2027)
The Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Program (SPIMHP) has recently released the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Plan (2023 – 2027). This resource was developed following an extensive literature review and consultation with key stakeholders from across a variety of agencies inclusive of health professionals and consumers and will guide organisations throughout WA on how to best support families during the perinatal and infant period.
The Plan is broken down into four key life stages; preconception, pregnancy, postnatal period and infancy (0-4 years to ensure inclusivity of babies and toddlers). Evidence informed supportive strategies to improve perinatal and infant mental health are further broken down into the three tiers of prevention; primary (where we are seeking to enhance the wellbeing of the general population), secondary (supporting those at risk and providing early intervention) and tertiary prevention, where we aim to support individuals through their recovery journey.
The Plan and additional efforts from the Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Program will help to bring services together to provide integrated supports and to build the capacity of parents and families.
Download a copy of the Plan or visit the SPIMHP website for further information.
Emerging Trends Post COVID-19 Restrictions for WA Families with Infants and Young Children
The effects of COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in heightened levels of parental stress and anxiety, isolation, and major service disruption for WA families with infants and young children.
This report by the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Network Steering Committee, provides a snapshot of the concerns and thoughts of consumers, carers, health professionals and other community support workers of the emerging trends following the COVID-19 restrictions in Western Australia for families in the perinatal period with infants and young children.
The report summarises these responses and makes recommendations that have arisen from the analysis and can be found here.
Acknowledgements to the consumers, carers, health professionals and other community support workers who participated in the survey.
Documents
- Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Sub Network - Position Statement - Clinical Reflective Supervision for Professionals Working with Families and Infants and Young Children.
- Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Plan 2023-2027
Last updated 21 June 2023