Brendon Smith from Father and Child has made a number of presentations at PMHNZ Perinatal Mental Health training days recently.

Brendon Smith presenting at the PMHNZ training day in Christchurch

PMHNZ is a trust that aims to reduce stigma around PND (Perinatal Distress) and improve awareness of best practise and research, hoping to improve outcomes for families who are affected by perinatal mental health issues.

In October last year they hosted NZ’s first ever Symposium on Perinatal Mental Health, at Massey University, Auckland. Keynotes speakers included then Minister of Health, Tony Ryall and Brendon Smith of Father and Child Trust.

Tony Ryall spoke of his experience in Europe, having children miles from family and support, then Brendon told of his story, how this led to him being the at-home dad for his children and eventually to his role with Father and Child Trust. He also emphasised how the inclusion of fathers in all stages of the maternity cycle can improve outcomes.

Dads who are better informed are better prepared to deal with tricky births, long recoveries or premature babies. Their understanding and ability to talk to other dads about theses issues helps them to support their partner, baby and in fact keep their family intact. Dave Owens of Greatfathers also spoke about the many benefits of including dads, especially in sharing the loads, bonding and staying involved with their children.

In May 2014, Brendon hosted a PMHNZ Training Seminar at AUT Northcote. Speakers included Frank Hayes who has run a dads group on the North Shore for nearly ten years. He explained how helping dads through this period assists their partners, children and effectively their families. Other speakers included Lorrie Bennett who is WDHB’s MMH manager presenting on Postnatal Depression and other Perinatal illnesses, Nimisha Waller, a LMC midwife, on the effects of PTSD and Bronwyn Sweeney a researcher at Massey University, Wellington, on sleep and its effect on the perinatal mental health, adjustment and overall wellness.

Brendon spoke again on the benefits of including dads at every stage of the maternity support cycle, then Ailke Botha presented on managing anxiety in parenting.

Around 55 attended the PMHNZ training day in Hamilton

The day was well attended by over 50 women and one man, a variety of social workers, midwives, counsellors and people from outside of Auckland. Feedback was great and included that it was about time something like this happened around PMH in Auckland, plus that the attendees appreciated Brendon’s passion for including dads.

A similar day was held in Wellington this year, including Joanne O’Leary’s work around baby loss, then Brendon attended the Hamilton PMHNZ Training Seminar in July. Attendees came from the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taranaki and around the Waikato. They heard from experts in bonding therapy, PMH Triage procedures from Taranaki DHB and the local support group, which included a support worker, a GP, a psych. counsellor and a pharmacist who really worked well together.

As per our earlier news item, Brendon attended the Christchurch PMHNZ Training Day and the La Leche League Breastfeeding Seminar, where he met Carole Bartle, an expert in NICU baby support, breastfeeding and Kangaroo care, which can include dads. Carole was able to show that couples should be allowed to stay together in the NICU or similar SCBU wards, in double beds with their baby close, as practiced in Sweden.