Tresillian Postnatal Depression Therapy Group in a Regional Context: Reflections on the Challenges and Benefits of the Virtual Group Space
Tracks
Conference Centre Room 2
| Monday, March 28, 2022 |
| 2:36 PM - 2:56 PM |
Overview
Ms Monica Carlon, Tresillian Family Care Centre Coffs Harbour
Speaker
Ms Monica Carlon
Nurse Unit Manager
Tresillian Family Care Centre Coffs Harbour
Tresillian Postnatal Depression Therapy Group in a Regional Context: Reflections on the Challenges and Benefits of the Virtual Group Space
Abstract
This presentation will discuss the challenges and benefits of implementing a therapeutic parenting group program in a regional context, using a virtual setting. The Tresillian Postnatal Depression (PND) Therapy group is co-facilitated by the Mid North Coast Local Health District, Child Youth and Family Mental Health Service – trainee psychiatry registrar and the Coffs Harbour Tresillian Family Care Centre (Day Services) child and family health nurse.
The impact of perinatal mental health issues on children and families;and the need to access help early is well evidenced (NSW First 2000 Days Framework, 2019). Close to 20% of clients attending the local Tresillian Day Services have scored in the clinical range for depression or anxiety on screening, with 5% experiencing thoughts of self-harm.
The Tresillian PND therapy group draws on a range of evidence based psychological strategies, using a narrative framework and strength based approach. More recently the group program has been facilitated in regional centres which presents particular challenges including limited resources, i.e. lack of appropriate group space/onsite child care facilities, logistical access to centres such as long distances to travel and impact of COVID-19 restrictions. The benefits of offering the therapeutic group virtually include:
• Improved access to families with limited practical support
• Increased coverage for families across the Local Health District
• Shared lived experiences and journey of parenting with PND & anxiety
• Improved clinical outcomes for participants
• Specialised services provided despite limited resources in regional setting
• Adapting a metro based therapy group to meet the needs of regional families
3 key learnings
1. Collaboration between mental health services and early parenting programs can provide regional families specialised care to support perinatal mental health.
2. The Tresillian Postnatal Depression Therapy group can successfully be adapted to a regional setting (2).
3. The virtual group space enhances access to evidence based perinatal mental health care, aligning with the NSW Health First 2000 days framework objectives (1).
The impact of perinatal mental health issues on children and families;and the need to access help early is well evidenced (NSW First 2000 Days Framework, 2019). Close to 20% of clients attending the local Tresillian Day Services have scored in the clinical range for depression or anxiety on screening, with 5% experiencing thoughts of self-harm.
The Tresillian PND therapy group draws on a range of evidence based psychological strategies, using a narrative framework and strength based approach. More recently the group program has been facilitated in regional centres which presents particular challenges including limited resources, i.e. lack of appropriate group space/onsite child care facilities, logistical access to centres such as long distances to travel and impact of COVID-19 restrictions. The benefits of offering the therapeutic group virtually include:
• Improved access to families with limited practical support
• Increased coverage for families across the Local Health District
• Shared lived experiences and journey of parenting with PND & anxiety
• Improved clinical outcomes for participants
• Specialised services provided despite limited resources in regional setting
• Adapting a metro based therapy group to meet the needs of regional families
3 key learnings
1. Collaboration between mental health services and early parenting programs can provide regional families specialised care to support perinatal mental health.
2. The Tresillian Postnatal Depression Therapy group can successfully be adapted to a regional setting (2).
3. The virtual group space enhances access to evidence based perinatal mental health care, aligning with the NSW Health First 2000 days framework objectives (1).
Biography
1. NSW Health, First 2000 Days Framework PD2019_088 (2019) The First 2000 Days Framework (nsw.gov.au)
2. Tresillian (2019) Postnatal depression & Anxiety Therapy group manual.
Monica Carlon
Monica is a Nurse Unit Manager for the Tresillian Family Care Centre (Level 2 service) Coffs Harbour and Tresillian 2U mobile service in the MNCLHD. Monica is a Child and Family Health Nurse and Registered Midwife with experience working with families in these settings across the past 25 years. Monica has completed the Tresillian PND facilitator training, Circle of Security facilitator training and has a passion for working with families to improve parent child relationships and parenting confidence. Monica has presented at the 2019 Rural Health and Research Congress Lismore on the Tresillian 2U early parenting service and holds a Master of Midwifery from Charles Sturt University.
Dr Lauren Amor
Lauren is a third year basic trainee psychiatry registrar with the Youth and Family Mental Health Service at Coff’s Harbour. She studied medicine in the UK at Brighton and Sussex Medical School before completing her foundation rotations where she gained further broad medical experience including in consultation-liaison psychiatry. She enjoyed psychiatry the most and began psychiatry training in Sydney in 2019. Lauren is passionate about the mind-body connection, novel medications and using psychotherapy to address the impact of trauma on a person’s medical illness and motherhood. She is currently researching accessibility of digital health interventions by clients with mental illness.
