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.