Perinatal mental illness (PMI)

Becoming a parent is often considered one of the happiest times in a person’s life. However, many new parents face challenges as they adjust to their new role and learn how to care for their precious baby, while also trying to create a positive environment for their early development. These changes and responsibilities, coupled with shifts in self-identity and social networks, can contribute to mental health issues among new parents. Research indicates that approximately one in five mothers and about one in ten fathers experience a mental illness during pregnancy and the first year of their baby’s life.

Perinatal and infant mental health refers to the emotional well-being of parents and infants from conception until the first two years of age. Mental illnesses that emerge during the perinatal period can arise suddenly, adding to the already challenging circumstances and affecting the fetus and infant through biological, genetic, and psychological pathways. The transition to parenthood is a time when social relationships, networks, perceived roles, and attachment dynamics can all undergo significant changes. This is particularly true for parents following the birth of their first child. Furthermore, research has identified a higher prevalence of loneliness among first-time mothers. Loneliness can contribute to depression and has been shown to have an impact on a child’s internalizing problems during adolescence. Both mothers and fathers may experience a lack of social support during the perinatal period, which can also contribute to postpartum depression. Parental mental illness (PMI) can affect families, attachment relationships, and support structures.

Parenthood can be seen as a critical and defining moment, marking a period of transition where social relationships, networks, perceived roles, and attachment dynamics can all change. Mothers may experience a lack of social support, which can contribute to the “baby blues” or postnatal depression. New fathers often undergo changes in their social and daily lives, which can lead to depressive symptoms. PMI is the most common complication associated with pregnancy in Western countries, impacting families, support structures, and the infant’s development, including their psychological adjustment. However, many new parents go undiagnosed, often out of fear of stigma or uncertainty about who to turn to for help. Services are often fragmented, with limited options to maintain the parent-infant connection while receiving medical treatment. If left untreated, PMI can result in long-term emotional, developmental, and attachment issues for parents, infants, and children. It is crucial to reach out to someone and seek help if coping becomes difficult. Therefore, this research project aims to identify gaps in care and improve early identification and access to services.

Within the framework of this five-year project, a multidisciplinary team including experts from the fields of medicine, public health, and social work will collaboratively develop, implement, and evaluate practical approaches that address the identified local priorities of early detection, service gaps, and accessibility. We will engage with stakeholders to co-create evidence-based practice approaches (Open Innovation in Science) and determine the most suitable study design for assessing these approaches, including the implementation processes involved. Our objectives are as follows:

1. Investigate the landscape of perinatal mental health in the region of Tyrol.
2. Shape support services that cater to the needs of parents and infants, strengthening social support and cooperative services.
3. Implement interventions to ensure their feasibility, appropriateness, and sustainability.
4. Evaluate the impacts, perspectives, and experiences associated with the intervention.

Through this collaborative effort, we aim to contribute to the enhancement of perinatal and infant mental health care, ultimately improving the well-being of families in the region.