Blog - January 2025
Next Steps
The cold, stormy weather in January kept me indoors and allowed me time to consider the next steps in the Company. As an Ambassador for Mothers Matter I decided to volunteer my counselling credentials to help mothers who may be suffering from perinatal mental health issues. Although I have been a counsellor for a very long time, most has been on an informal basis so it was good for me to formalise my skills.
I became a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, renewed my public liability insurance and professional indemnity.
To date, I have been counselling a few parents, and know, that my specific knowledge of perinatal mental health and the problems that can arise, puts me in good stead to help and support parents.
I have decided to offer my counselling service to a wider audience of perinatal parents. Parents can contact me and the current charge is £35 per 45 minutes, over a 6 week period. It is a fact that counselling and or medication can help parents to explore, discuss and often resolve issues.
Jessica Kingsley Book
Much to my dismay the book for parents failed to be published in time for Christmas. There were some problems around the layout, which are being resolved with the help of the editor. It is hoped it will be back on track for publication imminently.
United Kingdom and Ireland Marce Society (UKIMS)
In January I retired from my role as the President of UKIMS. I remain an Honorary Board Member. It was a privilege and an honour to be able to serve this wonderful Society. I chaired the one day Scientific Conference in Kings College London. We had a full day of speakers – both new, and established researchers in the field of perinatal mental health. This annual event, organised by Dr Claire Wilson and Prof Vivette Glover, allows the opportunity for all those involved in perinatal mental health to not only increase their skills and knowledge but to network with other experts from around the country and Europe.
Training
I had the privilege of training Foster Carers who are responsible for the care of mothers and their infants. This important job is often overlooked, as they play a very valuable role in supporting parents during the perinatal period. The group was very keen to learn about the importance of good perinatal mental health. It was an engaging and very productive few days. We hope to write an article about the significant work they do and the substantial difference they make for families.
Ongoing Projects...
Music and parent infant interactions
I am a member of the Music and Parental Wellbeing Research Network, with the Royal College of Music. The Network is the first of its kind to foster novel, international, and inter-disciplinary collaborations to explore the role of music in supporting parental wellbeing. I have attended several meetings which aim to diversify and extend the knowledge base, and to bridge a translational gap between practice and research, on the one hand, and policy and long-lasting implementation, on the other.
The website is http://www.musicandparentalwellbeing.org/
Transgenerational music
I am working with researchers affiliated with the Royal College of Music, and Jane Honikman, author of ‘Postpartum is Forever’, to look at the importance of music and the transgenerational influences that help parents and infants to interact and to nurture their connection. There is a strong link between traditional and modern music too, and this is an area that will be explored. We will be presenting a poster in London in July to request interested researchers to join our project.
Music groups in Wales – The Lullaby Project
I am also working with the Lullaby Project in Wales to look for funding for a group project around perinatal mental health. We are applying for funding to help secure some innovative ideas.
Live Music Now’s is holding the first international Lullaby symposium discussing the theme ‘music is medicine in perinatal mental health’, in Cardiff on 18th July.
Reserve your spot through Eventbrite here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unlocking-futures-music-is-medicine-for-perinatal-mental-health-symposium-tickets-1291286967079?aff=oddtdtcreator
Schools and Perinatal Mental Health
Our team of researchers, educationalists and clinicians, now has 10 national and international members. We are in the process of filming and writing up the toolkit for schools. I cannot fully share the details of this project as there is still some work to be done, but watch this space!
Olajumoke Ojeleye
Dr. Olajumoke Ojeleye or ‘Jummy’ as she is affectionately called, was first introduced to the Awareness of perinatal mental health by our training courses. Jummy was nursing in Nigeria and we discussed the issues on PMH over Zoom. Jummy invited me to the defence of her impressive doctoral dissertation, which took place on Zoom and was based in the University of South Florida College of Nursing. I had a lovely letter of recognition for all the support she has received over the years
Publication
I was commissioned to write an article about perinatal mental health for the Journal of Family and Child Health. I chose to title it ( and it was accepted) From Back Ache to Back Packs – a history of perinatal mental health, It was published in the February issue of the Journal
Hanley J (2025) From Back Ache to Back Packs – a history of perinatal mental health, Journal of Family and Child Health Vol 2 No 2 Published Online:25 Feb 2025 https://doi.org/10.12968/jfch.2025.2.2.64
I have just completed an article on Grandmothers and PMH for the International Journal of Birth and Parent Education. This will, hopefully, be published in July.
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