Real support
I was very satisfied to read in the Times of Malta (December 12) the good news about a pilot project aimed at supporting expectant parents during and after pregnancy. The programme is designed to fit principally the particular needs of pregnant women and offer help to those with signs of anxiety or depression. Fathers will also be screened as they too can be subject to the same issues.
The screening and much-required guidance and support will be given during the expecting mother’s visits to hospital and even after birth, until the baby is between five and six weeks old, with home visits by a midwife.
A pilot project has been launched to support parents suffering from anxiety or depression during or after pregnancy.
From next year, parents will be screened to evaluate their mental health and the health of their relationships.
The initiative falls under the government’s positive parenting national strategic policy.
Ruth Sciberras, who chairs the positive parenting task force, explained that two routine screenings will be carried out.
One will take place during the hospital visit prior to delivery and the second during a home visit by a midwife when the baby is between five and six weeks old.
If you have a problem, if you are feeling anxious or depressed, please speak out and ask for help
During the launch, Positive Parenting Task Force chair Ruth Sciberras explained that the project will provide support and guidance to those parents who are facing anxiety or depression during the prenatal period.
Two routine screenings will be carried out. One will take place during the hospital visit prior to delivery while the second one will be carried out during a home visit by a midwife when the baby is between five to six weeks old.
Parents living in adverse circumstances and need of specialised support will be helped out.
Professor Angela Abela from the Department of Family Studies at the University of Malta said that the aim of the pilot study is to enforce positive parenting and to help parents to better communicate between themselves and their children.