Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Program (SPIMHP)
The Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Program is a non-clinical service providing support to Western Australian (WA) health and community professionals who work with families during the perinatal period. The program includes education and training, health promotion initiatives, service coordination and support for clinical networks and research.
Education and training
SPIMHP provides regular in-person and online training for health professionals in perinatal mental health, including training in how to use screening tools, perinatal mental health conditions and mental health first aid. Professional development opportunities for health and community professionals are also offered via symposiums, forums and network presentations. Download the latest training calendar (PDF), and registration form (PDF) and send to wnhs.mhs.spimhp@health.wa.gov.au.
Health promotion and resources
Perinatal and infant mental health promotion aims to keep people well and promote positive mental health and resilience. Prevention and early intervention are key components of perinatal and infant mental health promotion. SPIMHP have developed a number of helpful resources for health professionals to better support WA families:
- Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Plan 2023-2027 (PDF)
The Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Plan was developed by SPIMHP following an extensive literature review and consultation with key stakeholders from across a variety of agencies inclusive of health professionals and consumers. The resource aims to guide organisations across WA on how to best support families during the perinatal and infant period. - Finding Help before and after baby arrives (PDF)
An extensive list of services available for families in WA during the perinatal period. - Bonding with your baby poster (PDF) and information sheet (PDF)
Tips and information for parents on how they can build a secure relationship with their new baby.
SPIMHP also chair a number of networks, including the Statewide Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Promotion Network. To join this network, or sign-up to SPIMHP’s newsletter, please contact wnhs.mhs.spimhp@health.wa.gov.au.
Research
SPIMHP is directly involved in both research consultation and leading and contributing to collaborative and multi-disciplinary perinatal and infant mental health research projects, including Quality Improvement activities. This involvement requires substantive contributions at all stages of the research lifecycle, including formulation, planning and design, ethics and governance application and monitoring, survey and database programming, data collection, management and analysis, and reporting results in publications.