Did you know the experiences and relationships we have in the earliest years of our lives impact on the development of our brains and long-term health outcomes?
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week is 10-16 June. The week provides an opportunity to discuss the importance of an infants’ mental health and wellbeing as well as some of the issues that affect it.
Infant mental health is a child’s ability to feel and express emotions, form relationships, take in information from their environment and achieve their developmental milestones. Their mental health can change depending on their environment and experiences.
Positive infant mental health contributes to brain development and emotional wellbeing. It provides a foundation for good long-term outcomes in all areas of their health.
This year Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) are promoting the importance of the First 2,000 Days of Life at events across the region.
Keryl de Haan, MLHD Perinatal Infant Mental Health Clinical Lead said the events will help new mums and carers discover ways to connect with their babies and provide health professionals with information that helps dispels myths around infant mental health.
“Through these events we want parents and carers to know that the experiences of smiling, playing, talking, cuddling, touching, are all important for baby’s development. We believe every child can, and should, thrive by the age of five,” said Keryl.
“A great little clip is the TED talk featuring 7-year-old Molly (Molly Wright: How every child can thrive by five), which highlights the importance of the first 2,000 days of life and the impact of talking and playing with our babies.
“Building a community of care is also important so that parents and carers feel well supported during pregnancy and after baby is born, because our own wellbeing can impact the way we interact with our babies.”
The events will also raise awareness of the way our own wellbeing can impact the way we interact with our babies, and parents and carers attending the events will also come away equipped with resources to help them identify when they may need help, and where they can find it.
“If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, chatting with your GP, maternity or local hospital, child and family health nurse and/or other health professional can provide options for where to go next – there’s lots of support out there.”
Information and support can also be found at www.panda.org.au or call the national helpline on 1300 726 306.
- MLHD Child and Family Health Nurses 1800 654 324
- Building Brains and Bodies https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/child/Pages/videos.aspx
- Raising Children’s Network – Connecting and communicating with newborns
https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/connecting-communicating
- Molly Wright: How every child can thrive by five (TED Talk)
- NSW Health – The first 2000 days of life
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/programs/Pages/first-2000-days.aspx
- Parent Line 1300 1300 52
Mental Health Resources:
- MLHD Community Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Service 1800 800 944
- PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia)
