Mental Health Promotion in the Perinatal Period course for Dietitians

This session aims to raise awareness regarding the factors that predispose women to mental ill health in the perinatal period, and the role of health promotion. Screening for mental illness and the importance of early intervention will be explored. An interactive problem-solving approach will assist the learner to critically review health promotion practice that aims to enhance mental health.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain the significance of early screening and intervention for mental ill health during pregnancy and the first postnatal year
• Recognise the signs of common and more complex perinatal mental health disorders and describe the effect of anxiety and depression on the developing fetus, the mother and the rest of the family
• Identify emotional distress by using a range of techniques including clinical judgement and evidence-based screening tools
• Distinguish sound judgements regarding appropriate health promotion actions that aim to enhance mental health

While a woman/mother may be the healthcare client, her wellbeing has far-reaching consequences not only for herself but also for her newborn, children and the wider network of her family and friends. Therefore, early identification of perinatal mental health issues and intervention will provide a holistic, strengths-based approach that promotes protective factors for positive parenting.