Certificate Course in Perinatal Mental Health
Comprehensive Training for Healthcare Professionals
Batches 1 & 2 Combined Impact
NIMHANS Perinatal Psychiatric Service | NIMHANS Digital Academy
Why Perinatal Mental Health Matters
⚠️ A Critical Yet Often Overlooked Issue
Mental health of women during pregnancy and postpartum can have a significant impact on the overall health of the mother as well as the infant.
The Problem Statement
Mental health disorders during pregnancy and postpartum need to be assessed and managed with a focus on the mother-infant dyad. However:
- Many mental health issues during the perinatal period go unidentified
- Healthcare professionals often lack sensitization to perinatal mental health issues
- Early identification and treatment are crucial but often delayed
- Impact extends beyond the mother to affect infant development and family wellbeing
The Critical Need
It is important to sensitize health professionals to perinatal mental health issues, which would aid in easy and early identification and treatment of various mental health disorders during the perinatal period.
The Solution: Specialized Training
This course has been planned by the Perinatal Psychiatric Service team of NIMHANS to sensitize all professionals who work with the perinatal population, enabling them to identify, assess, and manage mental health disorders during pregnancy and postpartum.
Combined Impact of Batches 1 & 2
Program Success Metrics Across Both Batches
Through Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Course Batches 1 & 2, 63 accredited healthcare professionals (doctors, psychiatrists, obstetricians, nurses, psychologists, and social workers) are now equipped to identify, assess, and manage mental health disorders during pregnancy and postpartum, providing specialized care to over 2,250 mother-infant dyads and improving maternal and infant mental health outcomes.
Learning Objectives
On course completion, participants should be able to:
- Identify and provide basic treatment for common mental disorders during pregnancy and postpartum
- Identify risk factors and approach to severe mental disorders in the perinatal period
- Have an understanding of psychopharmacology in pregnancy and postpartum
- Conduct mother-infant bonding assessment and interventions
- Implement psychosocial interventions that can be done in the perinatal period
Program Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 weeks (June to July 2022) Total: ~30 hours |
| Schedule | Every Friday 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (2 hours per session) |
| Target Audience | • Doctors (including Psychiatrists and Obstetricians) • Obstetric or Psychiatric Nurses • Clinical Psychologists • Psychiatric Social Workers |
| Who Should NOT Enroll | Experts or Specialists like Perinatal Psychiatrists/Faculty already specialized in this area |
| Method | Completely ONLINE - Blended Patient-Centric Learning • Real-time: Face-to-face Zoom video conferencing • Anytime: Self-paced e-learning (Google Classroom) • Interactive knowledge-based and skill-based sessions |
| Program Fees | ₹2,500 Commitment to time and participation is a must NO Participation Certificate - only completion certificate for those meeting all criteria |
| Focus | "Patient-centric", "Peer-led", "All teach-All learn" Model Become "Local Expert" in providing quality care for Perinatal Mental Health Learning by Doing |
Why Should You Join?
- It's Virtual - Save time and energy by learning from home/workplace with no commute
- It's Self-Paced - Works for YOUR schedule with anytime e-learning access
- It's Hassle-Free - Cloud-based, no paperwork, secure data management
- Best Practices at Your Fingertips - Access expert knowledge from NIMHANS Perinatal Psychiatry team via any device
- Immediate Responses - Quick query resolution from course coordinators
- Fun with Learning - Connect with peers pan-India and build Community of Practice
- Lifelong Access - Google Classroom content (articles, videos, presentations) available forever
- Case-Based Learning - Weekly case discussions with expert feedback
Accreditation Criteria
To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:
- Attendance: >80% in Friday online sessions with >90 minutes video presence per session (measured by software)
- Case Presentation: Presentation of at least 1 or more perinatal-related patient case summaries
- Assessments: Score >60% in the pre and post assessment during the course
- Surveys: Completion of pre-test and post-test surveys
Important Note:
There is NO Certificate for Participation. Only candidates fulfilling all course completion requirements will be certified.
11-Session Comprehensive Curriculum
Speaker: Dr. Prabha S Chandra
Topic: "Perinatal Mental health – too important to ignore" + Case discussion #1
Pre-course Assessment
Speaker: Dr. Sundar Nag
Topic: "I was worried and sad since pregnancy and it continues even after my child is born"
Case discussion #2
2:00-2:30 PM - Speakers: Dr. Veena S and Ms. Vaishalee
Topic: Psychological treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders
2:30-3:00 PM (Medical Professionals Only) - Speaker: Dr. Geetha Desai
Topic: Antidepressants and benzodiazepines in pregnancy and lactation
Case discussion #3
Speaker: Dr. Harish T
Topic: "She is irritable and aggressive and is not caring for the baby"
Overview of Postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression & OCD
Case discussion #4
2:00-2:30 PM - Speaker: Dr. Kimneihat Vaiphei
Topic: "I am the father of the baby and I want to help in child care"
Father's mental health, role of fathers and family support
2:30-3:00 PM - Speaker: Dr. Rashmi A
Topic: "I have a mental illness and I'm pregnant, what do I do about my medications?"
Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers in the perinatal period
Case discussion #5
Speakers: Dr. Prabha S Chandra and Dr. Veena S
Topic: "I am facing violence because they want a male child"
IPV in perinatal period
Case discussion #6
Speaker: Dr. Thomas Kishore
Topic: "Does a mother's mental illness affect her child?"
Impact on socio-emotional development of infant and interventions
Case discussion #7
2:00-3:00 PM - Speaker: Dr. Geetha Desai
Topic: "The woman who lost her child" - Perinatal grief
3:00-4:00 PM - Speaker: Dr. Jayant Mahadevan
Topic: "Does my drug problem affect the child?"
Substance use disorder during perinatal period
Post-course Assessment
Comprehensive Topics Covered
Knowledge-Based and Skill-Based Training:
- Common Mental Disorders:
- Assessment and identification of anxiety and depression
- Psychological treatments
- Pharmacological treatments (for medical professionals)
- Severe Mental Disorders:
- Postpartum psychosis
- Severe postpartum depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Psychopharmacology:
- Antidepressants and benzodiazepines in pregnancy/lactation
- Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers
- Pre-conception counselling for women with mental illness
- Father's Role & Family Support: Mental health of fathers and family involvement
- Intimate Partner Violence: Gender-based violence in perinatal period
- Mother-Infant Bonding: Assessment and interventions
- Impact on Infant Development: Socio-emotional development effects
- Perinatal Grief: Loss and bereavement support
- Substance Use Disorders: Effects on pregnancy and infant
- Psychosocial Interventions: Evidence-based approaches
Expert Faculty Team
Perinatal Psychiatric Service Team - NIMHANS:
- Dr. Prabha S Chandra - MD, FRCPE, FRCPsych, FAMS, Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS (Course Mentor)
- Dr. Geetha Desai - MD, DNB, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS (Course Coordinator)
- Dr. Aana Shah - MD, PDF in Women's Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry (Program Facilitator)
- Dr. Prabhat Chand - MD, Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS (Program Advisor)
Contributing Experts:
- Dr. Sundar Nag - Anxiety and Depression Assessment
- Dr. Veena S - Psychological Treatments, IPV
- Ms. Vaishalee - Psychological Interventions
- Dr. Harish T - Severe Mental Disorders
- Dr. Kimneihat Vaiphei - Father's Mental Health
- Dr. Rashmi A - Pre-conception Counselling
- Dr. Thomas Kishore - Infant Development
- Dr. Jayant Mahadevan - Substance Use Disorders
Benefits of the Course
- Acquire confidence in identifying, managing, and referring patients with mental health problems in the perinatal period
- Learn the most recent evidence-based practice in Perinatal Psychiatry
- Understand the mother-infant dyad approach to care
- Gain expertise in psychopharmacology during pregnancy and lactation
- Learn assessment and intervention strategies for mother-infant bonding
- Understand impact of maternal mental health on infant development
- Certificate upon completion from NIMHANS
- Join a supportive network of perinatal mental health professionals
- Lifelong access to e-learning materials
Teaching Methodology
Blended Patient-Centric Learning:
Real-time Sessions (Every Friday 2-4 PM):
- Patient case presentations and discussions
- Clarification and discussion with NIMHANS clinical experts
- Peer-to-peer learning
- Brief didactic topics by subject experts
- Interactive knowledge and skill-based sessions
Self-Paced E-learning (Google Classroom):
- Selected articles on perinatal mental health
- Video lectures and demonstrations
- PowerPoint presentations
- Lifelong access to all materials
- Interaction with course coordinators
FAQs
When will I have access to lectures and assignments?
Every Friday at 2 PM for live lectures, and Tuesdays for e-learning materials. Once enrolled, you'll have access to all requisite learning materials.
Can I clear my doubts or ask questions?
YES, during virtual sessions and through the Google Classroom e-learning platform. Some questions are answered in groups, others personalized.
Does the certificate mean I'm certified to practice as a perinatal mental health professional?
The certificate means you've successfully completed this course by achieving the learning objectives. This is a professional development course introducing you to basic concepts of perinatal psychiatry. You're encouraged to seek additional training to practice as a specialist.
Can I get a Certificate of Participation?
There is NO Certificate for Participation. Only those who complete all blended training requirements are eligible for the course completion certificate.
Contact Information
Email: pe**************@***il.com
Updates and FAQs:
Perinatal Psychiatric Service
NIMHANS Digital Academy
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
Transforming Perinatal Mental Health Care
Empowering healthcare professionals to recognize, assess, and manage mental health disorders during pregnancy and postpartum, with a focus on the mother-infant dyad for better maternal and infant outcomes.
Over 2,250 mother-infant dyads have benefited from specialized perinatal mental health care provided by our 63 accredited professionals, ensuring early identification, appropriate treatment, and improved wellbeing for mothers and their infants.