What is PIRI?
The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) was established as a separate body to oversee and to build on the clinical and research work undertaken over the last 18 years in the Infant Clinic, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Austin Health.
PIRI is a vigorous and innovative Australian research institute whose aim is to develop and apply treatments to improve the emotional well-being of parents and infants, and conduct basic research to maximize infant development.
PIRI provides a unique contribution to early intervention in Australia by combining basic research into difficulties facing parents and infants with clinical research into the development and application of evidence-based, innovative interventions informed by a specialist team of clinical and academic staff.
Click on PIRI staff for more details
Aims & Objectives of PIRI
PIRI has five major objectives:
1. Research - Research into early infancy, parenting and intervention- basic and clinical;
2. Model Clinic - Offering Early Intervention Programs e.g. (BabyHUGS Programs) to the community through a model treatment centre (the Infant Clinic) for perinatal mental health issues (anxiety, depression, adjustment) and parent-infant disturbances.
3. Policy - To provide information to influence policy e.g., benchmarking.
4. Public Health Initiatives - Community screening of depression; enhancement of community awareness and destigmatizing of parent and infant mental health issues.
5. Training - Involvement with other agencies and professionals in collaborative relationships, and provision of training in assessment and treatment of parent-infant difficulties (see "training").
PIRI`s Track Record
PIRI highlights include:
* Victoria`s largest treatment research centre for postnatal depression.
* Developing novel parent/infant interventions.
* A track record of turning research into practice.
* Training professionals in parent/infant mental health.
* Conducting research that has an international reputation.
* Expertise in prematurity.
* Published many academic journal articles and books (see "Research findings and Publications")
In addition, our track record includes:
* A 10-year history developing interventions to deal with parent-infant difficulties following postnatal depression. This includes producing the only Australian psychological treatment for postnatal depression evaluated in a randomised trial and published with international recognition (translated into Italian and French).
* Extensive network with over five Maternal and Child Health Centres with whom we have collaborated and set up screening programs for postnatal depression and provided training to improve capacity to manage postnatal depression.
* Involvement with beyondblue since 2001 as Victorian Principal Researcher of the beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program with antenatal screening of over 10,000 women in Victoria. Key role in implementation of the Federal Government's Perinatal Depression Initiative for universal screening of all antenatal and postnatal women for depression and anxiety in Australia.
* Cutting edge research in prematurity and the effect of parent-sensitivity training on brain development, with the award of an NHMRC grant.
* Provision of extensive training to MCHN in the Northern Eastern and Hume Regions as part of the DHS PND Initiative link to clinical Services, collaborative relationships.
* Training extensively to build capacity in the perinatal workforce.
About PIRI
PIRI consists of an advisory board and a dedicated group of clinical, academic and research staff whose aim is to provide world-class services to women and their families, health professionals and other researchers in the area of parent and infant mental health.
The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) was incorporated in March 2001 with its own advisory board, whose role is to help set the objective and facilitate the achievements of PIRI by providing experience and knowledge to assist in development, to act as a guiding body with input and strategic directions/ideas, to assist with fundraising and to improve community awareness and networking. The Board is chaired by Mr Graeme Woolacott AOM, and its members include Mr Lance Coburn, Ms Jennifer Ericksen, Prof Jeannette Milgrom, Ms Wendy Peters, Ms Barbara Wellesley AM and Ms Leonie Young. Located at Austin Health, Dr John Ferguson supports the Board as a hospital nominee.
Clinical and Research Staff
PIRI and the Infant Clinic are staffed by clinicians and research staff with expertise in the areas of infant, child and adult psychology, dance and art therapy. PIRI is renowned for its innovative clinic programs. Staff have published extensively in the scientific literature in the areas of child development, mother-infant interaction and treatment of antenatal and postnatal depression and prematurity.
Profiles of the PIRI and Infant Clinic staff can be viewed here.
PIRI Structure
PIRI's work is conducted under two arms, consisting of (1) a research arm which provides a 'hothouse' of parent-infant researchers and informs and underpins all PIRI activities, and (2) a clinical unit, the Infant Clinic, which provides model world-class treatments, and provides support to women and their families, health professionals and other agencies in the area of parent-infant mental health. PIRI also conducts public health initiatives and professional development programs.
