Understanding the Complexities of Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, 24-25th November 2022

The 2nd Edition of the Parent-Infant Mental Health Alliance (PIMHA) conference was successfully held on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th November 2022, at the University Valletta Campus. The event was held under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

The PIMHA President, Dr Ethel Felice delivered her address marking the opening of the conference ceremony. This was followed by the launch of the new PIMHA website by Dr Edith Agius.

The focus of this year conference, was on the assessment and management of complex perinatal mental illnesses to encompass the mother, father and also the baby. Particular attention was given on the first few years of a baby’s life and the most important early parent-child relationship and how long term negative effects for the developing child can be reduced.

In addition to local speakers, two international experts in this field were invited: Dr Rina Gupta, a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, and Dr Ellen Auty, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, both working within specialised perinatal and parent-child services in the UK.

Local speakers included: Dr Rachel Buhagiar, Dr Rodianne Camilleri Agius, Ms Debbie Atanasio, Ms Claire Zerafa, Ms Elena Felice, Ms Natasha Micallef. In addition, two service users also shared their experience surrounding perinatal mental health.

What is perinatal mental health?

Perinatal mental illness refers to any mental health condition affecting the mood, behaviour, wellbeing and/or daily functioning of an expecting or new parent. The term ‘perinatal’ refers to the time from conception and pregnancy through to the first year after birth. “Antenatal’ refers to the pregnancy period up until the birth. ‘Postnatal’ refers to the first year after birth.

1 in 5 expecting or new mothers and 1 in 10 expecting or new fathers will experience perinatal anxiety and/or depression symptoms. Other perinatal mental illnesses like postnatal psychosis are less common than anxiety or depression, but all perinatal mental illnesses respond well to treatment and there’s strong hope for recovery. Left untreated, perinatal mental illnesses can have long lasting impact on parents, partners, babies and families, and therefore timely detection and treatment is fundamental.

Key to the early access of effective mental health support is to be able to recognise the signs of not coping and to find the courage to ask for help.

Research

Depression During Pregnancy & Postpartum

Someone with PPD might experience feelings of anger, sadness, irritability, guilt, lack of interest in the baby, changes in eating and sleeping habits, trouble concentrating, thoughts of hopelessness and sometimes even thoughts of harming the baby or themselves.

Where to Seek Help

Anxiety During Pregnancy & Postpartum

Somenone with PPA may experience extreme worries and fears, often over the health and safety of the baby. Some people have panic attacks and might feel shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, a feeling of losing control, and numbness and tingling.

Pregnancy or Postpartum (OCD)

Someone with PPOCD can have repetitive, upsetting and unwanted thoughts or mental images (obsessions), and sometimes they need to do certain things over and over (compulsions) to reduce the anxiety caused by those thoughts. These individuals find these thoughts very scary and unusual and are very likely to ever act on them.

Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PPTSD is often caused by a traumatic or frightening childbirth or past trauma, and symptoms may include flashbacks of the trauma with feelings of anxiety and the need to avoid things related to that event.

Bipolar Mood Disorders

Many people are diagnosed for the first time with bipolar depression or mania during pregnancy or postpartum. Bipolar mood disorder can appear as a severe depression; individuals may need informed evaluation and follow-up on past and current mood changes and cycles to assess whether there is a bipolar dynamic.

Postpartum Psychosis

PPP sufferers sometimes see and hear voices or images that others can't, called hallucinations. They may believe things that aren't true and distrust those around them. They may also have periods of confusion and memory loss, and seem manic. This severe condition is dangerous so it is important to seek help immediately.

Remember

We are glad you are here. We want you to know you are not alone and you are not to blame. Help is available. You will get better.

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PIMHA Perinatal Mental Health Conference 2024

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