Occupational Therapy News OTNews March 2020 | Página 11

NEWS
Perinatal mental health e-learning course launches
RCOT and Health Education England have launched the first dedicated e-learning
programme for occupational therapists working in perinatal mental health.
Perinatal mental health services are aimed at women from conception to one year
after birth. The programme is designed to enable occupational therapists to develop
skills and confidence in their practice to support new and expectant mothers who
are experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and post-partum
psychosis and post-natal depression.
Developed by clinical specialists, the course is split into six sessions, each of
which includes information, case studies relating to the content of the session and a
self-assessment to check participants’ knowledge and understanding.
Links to additional information and resources are provided and participants are
encouraged to create a ‘personal action plan’ detailing how they will continue their
learning and develop their practice.
The course is free to anyone eligible for an OpenAthens account.
Julia Scott, RCOT chief executive, said: ‘I am proud that Health Education
England have chosen RCOT to develop this new e-learning programme. This
recognises the vital role that occupational therapists, working across multidisciplinary teams, are increasingly playing in perinatal mental
healthcare.
‘Bringing a new life into the world is a joyful and exciting occasion for most families but, importantly, it can also be a stressful one. Women
who have recently given birth have an increased risk of suicide, and one in 20 women experience mental health problems within a year of
giving birth.
‘The new e-learning, developed by clinical experts, will provide occupational therapists with the latest training to enable them to provide
the best possible care to those families that need it.’
For more information, visit: www.rcot.co.uk/perinatal.
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