The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) is dedicated to tackling perinatal depression, anxiety and their consequences through research and translating research evidence to practice. PIRI is investing in the earliest years to build a brighter future.
Blog
Welcome to the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) Blog where you will find all the latest news and tips for improving perinatal mental health
Best Scientific Poster Awarded for Group Mother-infant Interaction Intervention Study
The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) is excited to have received an award for Best Scientific Poster at the Australasian Marce Society & Tresillian Family Care Centre’s 'New Paradigms in Parenting, Perinatal Mental Health & Wellbeing' Virtual Conference, 9-10 September 2021.
Help us develop tools for Dads
We are asking for men with partners who are pregnant or have recently had a baby and feeling OK, to help us understand how we can adapt digital tools to support men’s mental health as they make the transition to parenthood.
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness
Your MumSpace Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Kit contains social media tiles focussing on perinatal mental health and the support tools available. Please feel free to download these and share these via your networks.
Birth Trauma Awareness Week 6th – 12th September
PIRI acknowledges the many individuals have experienced physical and emotional trauma during birth. It is estimated that up to 1 in 3 women experience birth trauma.
Man vs Mood
The 22nd of June is International Fathers’ Mental Health Day. 1 in 10 new or expectant dads experience perinatal anxiety or depression in Australia and over 40% of first-time dads believe postnatal depression and anxiety is a sign of weakness.
Parental Mental Health – a key factor in a child’s first 1000 days
PIRI is partnering with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth to deliver this important Summit in Melbourne on the 11th and 12th of March, 2020.
Watch: Webinar delivered to Health Professionals on the Prevention and Treatment of Perinatal Mood Disorders
Watch this Webinar which is designed to review the impact of perinatal psychological distress and mood disorders and increase participants understanding of ways in which distress can be prevented, detected and treated.
Motivational Interviewing Improves Help-seeking for Postnatal Depression and Anxiety
Motivational Interviewing Improves Help-seeking for Postnatal Depression and Anxiety. Results showed that training MCHNs in MI was feasible and valued.
PIRI continues to develop programs for treating mother-infant difficulties
Feasibility and pilot RCT studies of a therapeutic playgroup for mother experiencing postnatal mental health difficulties, showed that our CHUGS program was well-received by mums and produced significant benefits for mothers' mental health and the mother-infant relationship.
Psychological therapy more effective than medication for PND
In a randomised controlled trial, CBT was found to be more effective in the treatment of PND than sertraline, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, or a combination of the two treatment modalities.
Launch of the Global Alliance Maternal Mental Health
The Global Alliance Maternal Mental Health (GAMMH) was launched at the International Marcé Society Biennial Scientific Conference, Melbourne in September 2016.
Celebrating International Men’s Day
The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) is excited to have received an award for Best Scientific Poster at the Australasian Marce Society & Tresillian Family Care Centre’s 'New Paradigms in Parenting, Perinatal Mental Health & Wellbeing' Virtual Conference, 9-10 September 2021.
DadSpace – A new website supporting dads in the transition to parenthood
PIRI is excited to announce DadSpace, a new website dedicated to supporting fathers across Australia. DadSpace provides information, strategies, tips, resources, and support specifically for dads who are expecting or have a new baby.
World Mental Health Day 2021
World Mental Health Day is being celebrated on 10 October 2021. The early years are critical for lifelong brain development and functioning, learning, and wellbeing. PIRI is committed to investing in the earliest years to build a brighter future for mothers, fathers, babies, and their families. #mhw2021
Parenthood is a time of transition
Wondering how to survive a new baby when you're so very, very tired? Here's 10 Tips for Tired New Parents.
Free 24/7 specialist online support for expectant and new parents
Social isolation, extended wait lists and women living in regional communities can find it difficult to access traditional perinatal support services.
10 Tips for Tired New Parents
Wondering how to survive a new baby when you're so very, very tired? Here's 10 Tips for Tired New Parents.
7 Tips for Dads
You're going to be a dad - congratulations! These 7 tips, tricks, and guidelines will help you face first-time fatherhood.
Help us develop tools for Dads
We are asking for men with partners who are pregnant or have recently had a baby and feeling OK, to help us understand how we can adapt digital tools to support men’s mental health as they make the transition to parenthood.
Self-care for New Parents
Parenthood is a time of transition. Self-care is important as caring for yourself means caring for your baby. Try to take each day as it comes.
What is perinatal anxiety and depression and how can I get help?
One in 5 women experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy, or after having a baby. So what is it and how can you get help?
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness
Your MumSpace Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Kit contains social media tiles focussing on perinatal mental health and the support tools available. Please feel free to download these and share these via your networks.
5 tips for improving your perinatal mental health
Your mental health is important, especially during pregnancy and the year after birth (the perinatal period) when approximately 1 in 5 women experience clinical depression.
PIRI – Investing in the Earliest Years to Build a brighter future
The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) is dedicated to tackling perinatal depression, anxiety and their consequences through research and translating research evidence to practice. PIRI is investing in the earliest years to build a brighter future.
Celebrating International Men’s Day
The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) is excited to have received an award for Best Scientific Poster at the Australasian Marce Society & Tresillian Family Care Centre’s 'New Paradigms in Parenting, Perinatal Mental Health & Wellbeing' Virtual Conference, 9-10 September 2021.
Best Scientific Poster Awarded for Group Mother-infant Interaction Intervention Study
The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) is excited to have received an award for Best Scientific Poster at the Australasian Marce Society & Tresillian Family Care Centre’s 'New Paradigms in Parenting, Perinatal Mental Health & Wellbeing' Virtual Conference, 9-10 September 2021.
DadSpace – A new website supporting dads in the transition to parenthood
PIRI is excited to announce DadSpace, a new website dedicated to supporting fathers across Australia. DadSpace provides information, strategies, tips, resources, and support specifically for dads who are expecting or have a new baby.
World Mental Health Day 2021
World Mental Health Day is being celebrated on 10 October 2021. The early years are critical for lifelong brain development and functioning, learning, and wellbeing. PIRI is committed to investing in the earliest years to build a brighter future for mothers, fathers, babies, and their families. #mhw2021
PIRI statement on Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has now made available its final report, which describes 65 recommendations for improving Victoria’s mental health system that the Victorian Government has committed to implement.
Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness
Your MumSpace Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Kit contains social media tiles focussing on perinatal mental health and the support tools available. Please feel free to download these and share these via your networks.
Birth Trauma Awareness Week 6th – 12th September
PIRI acknowledges the many individuals have experienced physical and emotional trauma during birth. It is estimated that up to 1 in 3 women experience birth trauma.
MumSpace receives prestigious Victorian Public Healthcare Award
The team led by the Parent Infant Research Institute (PIRI) at Austin Health received the ‘Minister for Health's Award for improving maternal, child and family health
Huge Costs of Perinatal Depression To Be Shouldered By Future Generations
PIRI researchers were among the first to point to the wider negative repercussions of perinatal depression and anxiety. A new health-economic analysis prepared by PwC, The cost of perinatal depression and anxiety in Australia, has just been released.
Global Alliance Maternal Mental Health
The Global Alliance for Maternal Mental Health (GAMMH) is a coalition of international organisations committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of women and their children in pregnancy and the first postnatal year (the ‘perinatal period’) throughout the world.
PIRI provides first evidence that treating antenatal depression has benefits for infants.
PIRI has just published the first evidence that treating maternal depression and anxiety in pregnancy can promote better developmental outcomes in children.