Date/Time
3 CEs
Very often when families learn that the newest member of their family needs time in the NICU, panic strikes. Research shows that infant medical severity has no influence over family mental health during a NICU stay or complicated pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery.
That means whether an infant simply needs more time to grow and feed in the NICU or extra monitoring, or if the birthing person has a high-risk pregnancy, family members may experience diagnosable conditions, such as acute stress disorder, anxiety (or postpartum anxiety), major depressive disorder, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to their infant’s hospitalization or the birthing person’s condition leading up to and following birth.
These diagnoses have been shown to negatively impact infant outcomes resulting in longer NICU stays, limited skin-to-skin contact, even later developmental delays, and parenting challenges. In this session, attendees will improve their ability to accurately refer families for behavioral health services.
Parental mental health, infant–parent bonding, and developmental care practices will be discussed so that you can help families gain positive health outcomes during their time in perinatal and neonatal medical settings. Racial, cultural, and linguistic considerations will be reviewed.
Learning Objectives:
Define behavioral health in perinatal and neonatal settings.
Recognize common assessment tools for screening in perinatal and neonatal family mental health.
Identify two cultural considerations when referring patients and families for behavioral and mental health consults in perinatal and neonatal settings.
Recall three ways that medical practitioners can support infant–parent bonding in the NICU.
Target Audience: Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
Anyone interested in the topic is welcome.
Sponsored By: University of Maryland School of Social Work
Cost: $70.00-$90.00
For questions, email cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu