Building Relationships: Integrating Infant Mental Health Services in a Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit

N

7

Mental Health; Neonates; Health Services; Hospitals; Attachment Behavior; Mental Health Programs; Pediatrics; Health Promotion; Caseworkers; Social Work; Parent Child Relationship; Trauma; Stress Variables; Infant Care; Caregiver Child Relationship; Infants; Allied Health Personnel

0736-8038

Infants are born primed to develop attachment relationships. However, when infants are hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit at birth, the stress and trauma associated with the highly specialized medical environment can threaten the development of a nurturing and secure caregiving relationship. Infant mental health is an evidence-based field of practice that focuses on fostering this relationship. This article presents the design, piloting, and implementation of the Stein Tikun Olam Infant-Family Mental Health Initiative at the Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. It includes clinical and educational services and illustrates the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned.

As Provided

15

2017

EJ1156763