Infant mental health

Our newly developed ABLE Training programme includes a module on Infant Mental Health. 

Infant mental health is defined as:“the developing capacity of the infant (from birth to 3 years of age) to experience, express, and regulate emotions; form close and secure relationships; and explore the environment and learn—all in the context of cultural expectations”  (Zero to Three, 2017)

IMH is an area in which there is an evolving body of evidence based research, particularly in relation to the key role of the early years in the social and emotional development of an infant, alongside their physical & motor development.

Locally on Friday professionals will have the opportunity to attend the IAIMH Open session which is taking place in the Department of Applied Psychology in UCC from 10am to 1pm. 

Helen Shanley who is a clinically trained psychologist will firstly be looking at the mother’s ‘mind’ in the transition to parenthood. Fran Burns, a senior physiotherapist, will then discuss the impact of an infant being weak and/or developmentally challenged on the parent-infant relationship and the baby’s overall development. 

Our own Ag Eisteacht trainer Patsy Hannan is attending this event which promises to be an engaging and informative morning. For more information on infant mental health please visit the IAIMH website here.