by Dr Bronwyn Leigh
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week was first launched in the UK in June 2016 to raise a greater understanding for policy makers, professionals and parents about why giving every baby the best possible start in life matters to the life chances of children and families.
2017 marks the inaugural Australian Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, 12-16 June. The Centre for Perinatal Psychology is delighted to support this awareness campaign, as we know first-hand the importance of fostering infant social and emotional development and enjoyable parent-infant relationships.
Infancy is a foundational time for development. At the Centre for Perinatal Psychology, we are interested in helping babies develop well and feel secure with their parents. Infant development and attachment can be interrupted by many factors, including physical health concerns and temperament. Parental postnatal depression and anxiety can also impact an infant’s development or secure attachment. But the good news is, treatment can help get things back on track.
We are interested in helping babies and their parents develop well during this important life phase.
About the Author
Dr Bronwyn Leigh is a clinical psychologist, perinatal and infant clinician and early parenting consultant. She is the Director of the Centre for Perinatal Psychology. Bronwyn is an expert in the psychological aspects of becoming a parent, the emotional development of infants, and parent-infant relationships.
