Infant Mental Health refers to the promotion of optimal development and well-being in infants (prenatal to age three) and their families, the prevention of difficulties, and intervention when infants are at-risk or have identified problems. Embedding the knowledge of infant and early mental health services and programs can enhance a child’s wellbeing in the short and long term. The foundation for this is an understanding among practitioners about the importance of every child having a sense of security and self-esteem, the ability to form satisfying relationships, to engage with the world, to learn, to cope and problem solve, and to continue positive development throughout life.
This presentation will first provide an overview of infant and early mental health and implications of the science on practice. The presenter will discuss what infant mental health looks like: the science that should inform our practice, services and policies; how to screen, observe and understand an infant’s mental health; current interventions used to support positive mental health in vulnerable infants and toddlers; as well as research initiatives related to this topic. Increasing amounts of research are showing that poor infant and early mental health can produce devastating consequences both in the short term and long term, and the risk of poor infant and early mental health is that much greater when a child is exposed to trauma in their early life. The quality of mental health experienced by a baby, toddler or preschooler can have lifelong consequences. Science has demonstrated that well planned early intervention can promote positive outcomes, even in the face of diverse cumulative risk factors. This session will address how early detection and rapid response can influence a child’s trajectory throughout life.
November 14, 2019
1:15 PM
CCA