Course Overview

Course Title: Complex Parent-Infant Mental Health
Credit Points: 12
Nominal Hours:
Course Coordinator: Julie Waddingham
Course Coordinator Phone:
Course Coordinator Email: julie.waddingham@rmit.edu.au
Course Summary

In this course you will critically appraise contemporary evidence on the neurobiology of infant brain development, exploring its connections to early attachment, child development, and long-term mental health outcomes. Throughout this course, you will construct comprehensive strategies to promote infant and parent mental health, emotional wellbeing, social support, and relationships, drawing on advanced mental health nursing knowledge and skills. You will formulate evidence-informed, culturally safe assessments of parent–infant mental health and relational functioning using validated clinical tools in diverse global contexts. By critically assessing and applying holistic, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed nursing care plans for families facing complex health and social challenges, you will integrate multiple approaches and perspectives into your practice. You will also analyse the mental health nurse’s role in leading and sustaining collaborative practice to advocate for human rights, safety, equity, and culturally responsive care, aligned with national and global mental health priorities. Learning will be delivered through interactive seminars, case-based discussions, practical workshops, and collaborative projects, preparing you to excel in advanced mental health nursing practice with infants, parents, and families.

Full Course Information
View detailed overview on Course Guide