First ever infant mental health master class held in Mayo
The first ever infant mental health master class has been delivered at the Atlantic Technological University, Castlebar Campus.
In attendance were various professionals across the HSE, Tusla, disability and voluntary sector representing key services that support families and children from conception to infancy came together - all eager to learn more about the concept of infant mental health so as to further support the social and emotional development of children and parental wellbeing.
This event was hosted by the Mayo Infant Mental Health Forum with the support of the HSE and Mayo CYPSC and facilitated by two leading IMH specialists from the Irish Association for IMH, Catherine McGuire and Mairead Carolan.
Ms. McGuire is also a member of the World Association for IMH and, along with her organising committee, is busily preparing for Dublin to host the 18th World Infant Mental Health Congress in July 2023.
The master class covered the scientific evidence and theory that supports and underpins IMH as well as the clinical application in which parents and babies are supported via an IMH lens.
The focus of this lens is not on baby alone but on the parent/caregiver baby/toddler relationship as it is the quality of this caregiving relationship, particularly in the early years of life when brain is rapidly developing, that determines our infants healthy social emotional and physical development, not only in childhood but into adulthood and across the lifespan.
Sensitively responding to baby’s needs by trying to read their nonverbal cues, making eye contact, comforting through gentle touch, holding, snuggling and sharing in mutual pleasure are ways to support the attachment parent – infant relationship.
Babies are unable to regulate their own emotions and are entirely depending on their significant caregivers to do so for them.
This is why in IMH the focus is equally on parental well-being and the caregiver’s emotional state.
The master class was very instructive in emphasizing the importance of supporting parents’ own developmental needs as they transition into parenthood and all of its challenges.
Parents are empowered, not by being told what to do necessarily but by their own unique parental experiences and needs in relation to their individual babies validated by a trusted other.
This process of ‘being with’ and engaging parents to adopt a reflective curious stance regarding their baby’s needs and communications is the essence of an IMH approach.
It is important therefore, that in order for support staff to help parents to keep baby in mind, that staff can reflect on how such work affects them personally.
Such insights will greatly inform and enrich their IMH practise.
The inaugural meeting of an IMH Network Group took place on October 11 to provide staff in Mayo with a supportive peer group environment to continue their learning so as to enhance further their IMH competencies.
This is for the better of all the parents, families and babies they serve.
For further information on IMH please consult the Irish Association for Infant Mental Health and the relevant HSE sites including mychild.ie or the hseland Infant Mental Health e- learning modules.
For information on the Mayo IMH Forum or the Network Group please, contact Dr. Jeananne Garavan, senior clinical psychologist as chair of the forum on 094 9049269 or email Jeananne.Garavan@hse.ie
Key messages for parents and caregivers
Early relationships matter and yet it is never too late!
It is not our parenting mistakes that breeds insecurity but the repair of such mistakes that makes our children feel secure.
No such thing as perfect parenting – there is only ‘Good Enough’!
This means that a third of the time we will get it right and another third we will not….for the remaining third were trying to work out what our child needs.
It is this working out as to their needs that is the kernal of ‘Good Enough’ parenting. If we can help parents to observe and be open and curious as to what might be going on for their baby and child they may feel more confident in being able to meet their babies’ needs.
Parenting does not come naturally necessarily. Although for some it can feel very intuitive for others less so.
It is always Ok to not feel ok but it is really important for your needs and your babies need to seek the help and support you deserve and your baby deserves.