Babies can’t wait

Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Intervention 

Infancy is a period of optimal emotional and cognitive development. The foundations of mental health are laid during the critical development that occurs over the first three years of a child’s life. Research on early childhood development has stressed the importance of studying the relationship between the primary caregiver and the infant in understanding the infant’s social and emotional development. Early identification of problems and effective intervention can have a significant impact on the prevention of child, adolescent and adult mental health difficulties. Best practice supports the principle that programmes based on developing strengths, beginning either pre-natally or at birth, have the greatest and most sustained effects. Taking a life-span approach to mental health necessitates early intervention from birth onwards. 

Three psychologists in Wexford are using Infant Mental Health to work with the youngest clients being referred into their services.  By promoting the development of healthy attachments between infants and caregivers, their aim is to break negative family patterns and provide the foundation stone for the development of positive mental health and well being throughout the lifespan.  As part of the infant mental health practice psychologists may offer families, concrete assistance, emotional support, developmental guidance, early relationship assessment/support, advocacy and infant–parent psychotherapy, depending on the needs of the infant and his/her family.  ‘Infant-parent psychotherapy offers a parent the opportunity to explore thoughts and feelings that are awakened in the presence of the baby.  In the intimacy of the home visit, a parent may share stories of past experiences and significant relationships, major fears, disappointments, and unresolved losses as they affect the care of a baby and their early developing parent-child relationship’ (Weatherston, D. 1997).     

Susann Keating, Rosarii O’Donnell & Paula Koechlin, Psychologists, HSE South, Wexford.

 

Click here to see the workshop presentation about Infant Mental Health by Susann Keating, Rosarii O'Donnell and Paula Koechlin at the Annual Conference 2009.

 

 

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