Perinatal Mental Health (11301.1)
Please note these are the 2025 details for this unit
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-Campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Health |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Discipline Of Midwifery | Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit | Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
This unit focuses on the psychological health of women during pregnancy and the first year after the birth. The student examines the major risk factors, indicators, treatment approaches and ongoing care for women with perinatal mental health concerns. Learning is directed towards developing knowledge, understanding and skills that enable the student to provide evidence informed care.
1. Discuss the mental health issues experienced by women during pregnancy and in the first year after birth;
2. Critically evaluate the major approaches related to the assessment, care and treatment of women with perinatal mental health concerns;
3. Examine the effects on the family of alterations in women's psychological health; and
4. Identify support services and/or referral pathways for women who require specialist care.
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Discuss the mental health issues experienced by women during pregnancy and in the first year after birth;
2. Critically evaluate the major approaches related to the assessment, care and treatment of women with perinatal mental health concerns;
3. Examine the effects on the family of alterations in women's psychological health; and
4. Identify support services and/or referral pathways for women who require specialist care.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
11335 Growing a FamilyCorequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
8680 Perinatal Mental HealthAssumed knowledge
None.
Availability for enrolment in 2025 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bruce, Canberra | Winter Term | 27 May 2024 | On-Campus | Prof Virginia Stulz |
| 2024 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 29 July 2024 | On-Campus | Prof Virginia Stulz |
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Winter Term | 26 May 2025 | On-Campus | Prof Virginia Stulz |
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | On-Campus | Prof Virginia Stulz |
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit
timetable.
Required texts
There is no set text for this unit. Below are some recommended texts, research literature and websites
Austin, M-P., Highet, N. and the Expert Working Group (2017). Mental Health Care in the Perinatal Period: Australian Clinical Practice Guideline. Melbourne: Centre of Perinatal Excellence. Retrieved from:
https://www.cope.org.au/health-professionals/health-professionals-3/
COPE, Centre Of Perinatal Excelllence:
https://www.cope.org.au/health-professionals/
Day, C. (2013) Family Partnership Model Connecting and working in partnership with families. Australian Journal of Child and Family Health Nursing, 10(1) 1-10.
Everitt, L., Stulz, V., Elmir, R. & Schmied, V. (2022). Educational programs and Teaching Strategies for Health Professionals Rsponding to Women with Complex Perinatal Mental Health and Psychosocial Concerns. A Scoping Review. Nurse Education in Practice. 60, 103319 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103319
Morrow, J. (2023). Complications in the postnatal period for the mother. In S. Pairman, S.Tracy, H. Dahlen, & L. Dixon (Eds).
Midwifery: preparation for practice, (5e) (pp. 1099 -1105). Sydney: Elsevier.
Schmied, V. & Dixon, L. (2023). Women's psychological health and wellbeing. In S. Pairman, S.Tracy, H. Dahlen, & L. Dixon (Eds).
Midwifery: preparation for practice, (5e) (pp. 843-863). Sydney: Elsevier.
Schmied, V & Thomson, G. (2017) Chapter 1, Introduction in Thomson, G. and Schmied, V., Psychosocial Resilience and Risk in the Perinatal Period.
Pairman, S., Pincombe, J., Thorogood, C., & Tracy, S. (2015). Midwifery: Preparation for practice (3rd ed.). Chatswood, N.S.W: Elsevier, Australia Chapter 17.
You are encouraged to access up to date information from journals including, but not limited to the following:
- Archives of Women's Mental Health
- British Journal of Midwifery
- Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
- Midwifery
- The Practicing Midwife
- Women and Birth
- UpToDate
Learner engagement
This is a 3 credit point unit and will require a workload of approximately 150 hours.
Inclusion and engagement
Please let your Unit convenor know if you need further assistance.
Participation requirements
Because we understand students may be absent for some sessions the expectation is for students to review online recordings and any content they have missed. If students regularly miss timetabled classes a 500-word synopsis about their learning on the topic/s of any missed sessions may be required to be submitted.
Required IT skills
Access to a computer with a microphone and camera.
In-unit costs
Nil.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
