Sidra Medicine is hosting Qatar’s first perinatal mental health symposium on 2 March 2019.

The symposium is a joint collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH); Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC). It will serve as a platform to contribute to the development of a perinatal model of care sensitive to the social, cultural and geographical needs of Qatar. Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) refers to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of parents during the period of conception to 12 months after a baby is born.

The conference is being hosted in line with Qatar’s Mental Health Strategy 2018-2022, and Mental Health and Wellbeing 5 year Action Plan, which have recognized Perinatal Mental Health as a key work stream.

Participants and attendees will have an opportunity to learn from international and local speakers. The symposium will also provide a forum for community input regarding the development of perinatal mental health services in Qatar.

Dr. Felice Watt, Division Chief of Perinatal Mental Health at Sidra Medicine and Conference Chair said: “Approximately one in ten women experience significant depression and/ or anxiety during pregnancy and/or in the first year of their baby’s life. Good perinatal mental health enables and empowers parents to observe and respond to their babies needs so that they can form secure emotional bonds, develop cognitively, and learn to regulate and soothe emotions. We are pleased to bring this important topic to the fore – for discussion and engagement with our partners and the community.”

The symposium is open to health care providers interested in the mental health and wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum women, their infants and families, and to community members who may have experienced, or supported those experiencing challenges to their emotional wellbeing during this period.

Seats are limited. To register please visit: https://www.sidra.org/events-calendar/event-details/?event=6475

Sidra Medicine’s perinatal mental health services is a free national service available to all women whose obstetric condition is having an impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing, or whose pre-existing mental health issues may be affecting their pregnancy and postnatal period. To self-refer or for more details please call 40037197 or email [email protected].

Source: Press release

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Binu Cherian

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