Occupational therapy and perinatal mental health
Perinatal mental health is a growing area of practice for occupational therapists. The number of roles has increased significantly following the welcome expansion of perinatal mental health services across the UK. These services support the one in five women who experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the first two years after birth.
Occupational therapy role
The journey to motherhood is associated with many significant changes in daily routines, roles, responsibilities and relationships. As occupational therapists we provide practical support to help people experiencing perinatal mental health problems carry out the daily activities – occupations - that are important to them, their infants and families. We support the activities and routines people do themselves, and those they do with their infants – ‘co-occupations' - including the following:
- Self-care: getting washed and dressed, eating and sleeping, creating healthy routines
- Productivity: shopping, cleaning, preparing meals, managing study or work tasks
- Leisure: finding time to exercise, pursue personal interests and meet up with friends
- Parenting: feeding, changing and playing with the baby
RCOT resources
eLearning: this online programme is for occupational therapists working in perinatal mental health services and those who are new to or wishing to work in this specialist area of practice. It was developed by RCOT in partnership with NHS England and can be accessed for free by people across the UK.
The programme includes three new sessions focusing on occupational therapy approaches to:
- Perinatal mental health, physical health, and disability
- Returning to work or study after a perinatal mental illness
- Perinatal mental health and neurodiversity
Learn more about the new e-learning sessions:
Perinatal mental health clinical forum: RCOT members can join the clinical forum for occupational therapists with an interest in perinatal mental health. The clinical forum arranges regular webinars and events. You can find out more here.
 v2_1.jpg?itok=P4Ldfpw2)
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance invited Dr Sally Payne and Debra Jeffery to share their thoughts on the vital role of occupational therapy in supporting women’s perinatal mental health.
RCOT films:
Our YouTube channel features short films where occupational therapists explain their roles in perinatal mental health. We also interviewed occupational therapists about the three new elearning sessions.
You can watch the films here: Occupational therapy and perinatal mental health - YouTube
You can also watch a summary video below.
