The Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health

Dear Marcé members, We would like to share with you a new website, Begin Before Birth, which may be of interest to you from Marcé Society Treasurer Vivette Glover. It shows how the emotional state of the mother can affect the neurodevelopment of the fetus, and shows some of the underlying mechanisms. It also has 3 short films for you to view. You may visit this website here: www.beginbeforebirth.org. Thank you.

"BABIES ALOUD" – WHAT MEN NEED TO KNOW ABOUT POSTNATAL DEPRESSION

For fathers, health professionals, groups, and individuals

The films are designed to challenge stereotypes by reinforcing the notion of a balanced parental relationship which is fundamental to help the mother affected by post natal depression to cope with the disorder and to make an effective recovery from it.

Each film looks at a particular aspect of the mother/father/infant relationship, examines the particular stressors and misconceptions that can cause it to become unbalanced and proposes possible remedies.

The films are not intended to positivistic, in the sense of linking specific problems with specific solutions, because often problems in postnatal depression are not well defined and overlap with the ordinary responsibilities of parenthood and child-care. Rather they are intended to stimulate a focused discussion in which possibly difficulties and possible solutions can be constructively debated.

For further information and details please click on:

http://shsfaculty.swan.ac.uk/janehanley/

The principal aim of the Society is to promote, facilitate and communicate about research into all aspects of the mental health of women, their infants and partners around the time of childbirth. This involves a broad range of research activities ranging from basic science through to health services research.

The Society is multidisciplinary and encourages involvement from all disciplines including: psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatricians, obstetricians, midwives, early childhood nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, community psychiatric nurses, community nurses and health visitors.

The Society also encourages the involvement of consumer and carer (self-help) groups.

The Society holds an international meeting every two years (biennial) hosted by the President of the Society. These are lively meetings with a high quality scientific content that brings together researchers, clinicians and consumers from around the world.