Perinatal Mental Health Nursing in Public Health Home-Visiting
This is an archive of a past event.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF THIS WEBINAR WAS MEANT FOR ONTARIO PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING HOME VISITING TEAMS. TO ACCESS THE RECORDING, PLEASE LOGIN TO THE PHN-PREP COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE PORTAL WHERE YOU WILL FIND WEBINAR RECORDINGS SAVED IN THE DOCUMENTS FOLDER*
Nationally, 34% of Canadians self-reported being diagnosed with a mental health disorder, with most diagnoses being depression or anxiety related disorders. During the perinatal period, changes and challenges may increase an individual’s risk for poor mental health. Parental mental health challenges may negatively impact infants, children, and families, yet just 15% can access evidence-based treatment.
Public health nurses (PHNs) are highly skilled professionals that are uniquely positioned to screen and support perinatal clients with mental health concerns through home visitation programming. In this webinar, a panel of public health nursing leaders will discuss local best practices for supporting Healthy Babies Healthy Children PHNs to advance their knowledge, skills, and confidence to assess and provide nursing care related to perinatal mental health.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify educational resources and strategies that health units could invest in to foster PHNs’ competencies, knowledge, and skills to recognize and respond to perinatal mental health issues
- Explain strategies to support PHNs apply psychotherapeutic techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, that aid in assisting clients to achieve their Family Service Plan parenting goals
- Describe strategies to support a client’s access to mental health supports in communities with limited mental health resources
- Describe supervision needs and strategies to support PHNs in addressing perinatal mental health concerns among home visiting clients
Presenter(s)
Christina Bradley, RN, IBCLC
Niagara Region Public Health.
She has 25 years of experience focusing on family support through outreach services.
Cynthia Clarke, RN, BScN, Supervisor
Halton Region Health Department.
She has 27 years of mental health experience, a degree in Psychology, Bachelor of Science and Nursing and Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Behavioral Science from McMaster University.
Sharon Cusson, RN, BScN
Halton Region Health Department.
With over 30 years of clinical experience, she is passionate about supporting Mama’s through the transition into motherhood. Sharon also has a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Behavioral Sciences.
Denise Sozio, RN, BScN
Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
Denise currently serves as the prenatal lead with a passion and interest for perinatal mental wellness.
Tricia Hardy, RN, BScN, MPH, Program Manager, Healthy Families
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit,
She has over 30 years of home visiting experience, in both nursing and managerial roles, across five health units serving families living in a variety of geographic contexts.