Introduction to Perinatal Mental Health

Perinatal mental health encompasses the emotional well-being of individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Despite its prevalence, maternal mental health disorders are often overlooked and under-addressed. This course offers a global perspective on perinatal mental health, covering definitions, risk factors, screening tools, prevention strategies, and interventions.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Overview of Perinatal Mental Health: Gain a comprehensive understanding of perinatal mental health, including its definition, scope, and importance in maternal and infant health outcomes.

2. Adverse Experiences and Risk Factors: Explore how adverse experiences and various risk factors intertwine with perinatal mental health, increasing the likelihood of maternal mental health disorders.

3. Recommendations, Interventions, and Resources: Receive an overview of recommendations, evidence-based interventions, and available resources for addressing perinatal mental health challenges. Learn how to implement preventive measures and provide support to individuals during pregnancy and postpartum.

Course admission requirements:

Minimum of a Master's Degree in a mental health or related field; or be a student in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is required.

MEET THE PRESENTER

Erin Fanshier, LCSW 

Erin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has worked for years in the domestic violence and sexual assault community. Erin enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages, and helping families heal after abuse and trauma. Erin also enjoys working with parents and expecting parents to help their children heal, and learning to parent after experiencing abuse, trauma, and childhood abuse. Her approach comes from an Attachment, Psychodynamic, and somatic lens. She leans toward somatic approaches in therapy and believes in working with trauma from a “bottom-up” approach, working on grounding to help you feel safe in your body and in the world. Erin has specialized in working with survivors of trauma who have difficulty feeling connected with their bodies.