Washington State Association Of Infant Mental Health

Causes: Mental Health, Mental Health Treatment

Mission: The washington association for infant mental health is a vital community of interdisciplinary professionals coming together on behalf of all of washington's youngest children and those who care for them. Wa-aimh promotes the healthy development for infants, toddlers and young children. We achieve this aim through nurturing relationships at all levels: child to caregiver, caregiver to professional, and among professional colleagues.

Programs: Membership development: the organization has approximately 70 members who represent different disciplines related to infant mental health. Our programs included four membership meetings during the year, in september 2012, november 2012, january 2013 and march 2013. Each meeting was attended by 15-30 members and included a presentation by a professional in the field. Topics covered included: applying mindfulness in critical clinical moments; case study from circle of security parenting training program; format, funding, cost benefit and effects on practice of reflective consultation groups; and how to infuse infant mental health promoting first relationships into medical practices.

conference: the organzation has an annual conference usually delivered in may. Our conference this year was on may 18, 2013 and was attended by approximately 40 people. The keynote presenter was paula zeanah, rn, phd, a professor of clincal psychiatry and pediatrics at tulane university. She spoke on "the essential role of reflective practice in inter-professional communication for the well-being of infants, toddlers and their caregivers. "