Planning and implementing mental health training

Abstract

This article describes the development of a training day for maternity professionals on perinatal mental health. The need for such ongoing training has been highlighted by the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths. Death from psychiatric causes has been the leading cause of maternal death for the last two Triennia. The aims of the training programme are to improve the detection of women with current mental health problems and those at high risk of a serious mental illness following delivery in order to improve the care and support offered to them throughout their contact with maternity services. The training day aims to facilitate improvements in knowledge, attitudes and skills of midwives and obstetricians in relation to mental health. The article sets out the programme for the day and the lessons learned by the team providing the training to assist others who are hoping to develop perinatal mental health training programmes in their area.