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.

In Ireland there are approximately 160,917 carers (CSO, 2006). In 2008 the Care Alliance Ireland published a report which looked at carer health in comparison to the non-carer population. The report revealed that in the previous 12 months to the study over 40% of carers experienced stress and tension, almost 18% experienced depression, 22% suffered from anxiety, 29% suffered from headaches and just over a quarter suffered from lower back pain. Almost 30% of carers stated that their health had been directly impacted by their caring role.

Mental Health Ireland has prioritised the carer population as a group to develop tangible supports for based on their needs as highlighted in the recently published research and the tacit knowledge communicated through our network of Development Officers and volunteers from our Local Mental Health Associations. This has led to the development of a comprehensive Caring for Carers Programme which looks at the many issues identified by carers.

The following is a breakdown of the programme modules:

• Why a programme for Carers?
• Looking after your mental health
• Personal Stress Management
• Lifting and Handling
• Infection Control
• Continence
• Entitlements
• Nursing Home Care
• Accessing Services
• Coping With Grief and Loss
• Complementary Therapies
• Spiritual Health

Each section of the programme is divided into workshop style modules and the programme can be delivered over a number of days or by individual module. The aim of the programme is to provide informational and practical supports for carers, with an emphasis on promoting mental health therefore improving the carer’s ability to care for themselves as well as the person they are looking after. It focuses on the carer with a holistic approach their needs. The Programme will be delivered on a regional basis throughout the country by our network of Development Officers and the relevant agencies.

For more information about the Programme click here  

Nominate a Carer you know for the annual Carers of the Year Awards 2009

Once a year The Carers Association holds the Carers of the Year Awards to acknowledge and reward family carers for the tireless work that family carers carry out every day.

If you know a Carer whether a relative, neighbour or friend who you think should be recognised for the extraordinary levels of care they provide to a loved one, then please log on the Carers Association website. 

     

The volunteer component of our human resource is going to continue to be the major means of delivering programmes as the long-standing core activities of volunteers, such as befriending, are recognised as increasingly relevant and important with the development of service delivery to persons in the community.

Current volunteer activity varies between regions of the country and includes work in the area of social housing, befriending, mental health promotion and fundraising. Volunteering is done on a part-time, ad hoc basis as needed and depends on the local Association's interests and priorities. For example, befriending may consist of helping out at a weekly social club or going on an occasional outing with clients.

An illustration of some of the work being undertaken by local Mental Health Associations is presented in our newsletter Mensana News. Please note that Mental Health Ireland and the local Associations do not engage in counselling, social work or support group activity.

Current volunteering opportunities in the Dublin/Wicklow area include helping out at social clubs in Dalkey and Bray. These provide a social outlet for people with mental health difficulties where they can come together for a chat, to play board games and organise outings. At a national level, Mental Health Ireland is always looking for adjudicators for the National Public Speaking Project, a Project aimed at secondary school students.

Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to volunteer and we will get back to you shortly.

Since its inception Mental Health Ireland has been an advocate for people experiencing mental ill health. While continuing to actively advocate for appropriate policy and services for people experiencing mental illness, the organisation recognises that many people experiencing mental illness are perfectly well able to speak for themselves. In this context our work in the area of advocacy is twofold as outlined below.

1. Campaigning

By campaigning we mean advocacy on behalf of the general population of people with a mental health problem and sometimes families, taking an interest and exerting pressure where necessary in the fields of legislation and policies relating to provision of services, employment, housing, general welfare etc.

2. Advocacy

Mental Health Ireland defines its role as an advocate as being one where local Mental Health Associations should be “a voice on behalf of persons with a mental illness”. Being an effective voice ranges from advising on and defending the rights of a particular individual to, on a broader level influencing the planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services. The broader level advocacy is being met through the establishment of regional committees to meet on a regular basis with service providers.


For information on the Advocacy Skills Training Programme commencing on Tuesday 3rd November 2009 @ 7.30pm in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath click here.

The Irish Advocacy Network

The Irish Advocacy Network provides a peer advocacy service.

www.irishadvocacynetwork.com

Citizens Information Board

Citizens Information Board also provide a range of advocacy services and training.

www.citizensinformationboard.ie