Wellbeing for Scottish Wee Ones: developing infant mental health systems in Scotland

Abstract

Infant Mental Health Lead, Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland; Chair, Infant Mental Health Implementation and Advisory Group, Scottish Government Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Programme Board. I am delighted to have been asked to update readers of this Journal on infant mental health developments in Scotland. The development of Infant Mental Health services in Scotland and elsewhere should be underpinned by an evidence base including tried and tested ‘tools’ to help us to understand the baby’s experience. Psychoanalytic infant observation is one suchmethodology alongsideother valuable ways of observing, which can facilitate interventions to support the infant’s mental growth and the development of healthy, nurturing relationships. Examples of these include Brazelton assessments and the use of video-interactive guidance (VIG) bothofwhich are used therapeutically to help theparent to see and appreciate their baby’s strengths and their communications about their state of mind. I shall summarise recent developments in Scotland, and then go on to consider linked research and evaluation. Finally, I reflect on training and workforce development with an emphasis on the central place and value of infant observation in this endeavour.