The Perinatal Mental Health Workshop targets Indigenous Health Workers, Child Health Nurses, Allied Health, Midwives and others who work with pregnant women, new mothers and their families.

The Perinatal Mental Health Workshop is in two parts:

The knowing part:

• The Biopsychosocial Model of Perinatal Mental Health
• Infant Mental Health
• Domestic/Family Violence

The doing part:

• The Three Screening Tools
• EPNDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale)
• Psychosocial Assessment (safe start component)
• Self/Therapeutic Alliance
• Asking “Hard” Questions
• Referral Pathways
• Looking After Ourselves

The workshop assumes that participants bring their own experiences, skills, anxieties & knowledge, and are likely to learn best in small, participative groups (ie: this workshop is not at all suitable for people craving a quiet morning dozing-off in front of a powerpoint presentation).

One last thing: If required, a self-directed e-learning package can be used as preparation before the workshop or for consolidation of learning after the workshop. This package available via Cairns Base Hospital Library: email cbh_library@health.qld.gov.au or phone 4226 6679 to request this title “Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Training: Universal Psychosocial Screening Module [call number: V 618.9289 QUE 2010]”