This year, the newly established NT Branch of the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health will be holding an event for professionals who work within all area that supports Parents, infants, and families during the early years.

The main event will include 3 keynote speakers presenting on Infant Mental Health.

This event will be at Royal Darwin Hospital Auditorium and live streamed across each NT hospital.

Infant Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from Monday 12th June to Sunday 18th June 2023 on the theme of ‘Bonding Before Birth’.

What is Infant Mental Health?

Infant mental health is an often overlooked and misunderstood subject. Infant Mental Health Awareness Week provides an annual opportunity to discuss the importance of babies’ mental health and wellbeing as well as some issues that can affect new families.

Why Bonding Before Birth?

Research shows that the experiences and relationships we have in the earliest years of our lives, including before birth, impact on the development of our brains. Stress and adversity experienced during pregnancy can have a negative impact on babies’ physical and mental

health as they grow, but this doesn’t have to be the case. The services in place to support mothers, birthing people, partners and families in pregnancy can make a huge difference. Our hope is that this year’s Infant Mental Health Awareness Week will increase awareness of the importance of bonding before birth, and build for the services which we know can help.