Welcome to the EPA 2022 Interactive Programme 

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Women's mental health deals with, but not limited to, various aspects of psychiatric disorders in women, across the lifespan. The differential influence of gender and gender related indirect factors on mental ill-health has been researched and established for at least three decades. However, this topic is seldomly considered to be included in the structured curricula of psychiatric training. Several institutions provide temporary, CME-linked courses and other training opportunities. Yet, in many countries it is not part of a core program, whereas in common mental disorders, it is women who predominate. In this talk, a special focus will put on the training needs of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals regarding women's mental health, especially perinatal mental health and psychopharmacology during pregnancy and lactation. Another important aspect is the impact of intimate partner violence on the mental (and general) wellbeing of women, which despite being encountered by around 1 out of 3 women worldwide, is still poorly addressed and treated. Some other contemporary aspects such as the mental health of immigrant women, will also be discussed.

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There will be two main foci to this presentation.

Firstly, Designing and implementing a new educational program entitled "Women victims of domestic violence: Detection, clinic, help" – that is mainly based on the teaching of several modules, WPA International Curriculum for Mental Healthcare Providers on Violence Against Women. Our program is a follow-on to the one held during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, at which interest was expressed in sharing ideas and resources.

Secondly, Informing on the recent trends in Russian perinatal psychiatry. This covers the psychiatric training in the assessment domain, case management, and service evaluation.

We will introduce and review some resources for use in women's mental health practicals, propose innovative pedagogical structures for practical teachings, such as Problem Based Learning, 'Vicarious Learning,' and encourage discussion of how the practical aspects of women's mental health teaching can be supported and enhanced.

Teaching modules and training pathways will be delivered ("not too much; not too little and in the right order"), and dimensions of quality in continuing professional development in women's mental health (i.e., Sophistication, Credibility, Timeliness, and Utility) will be outlined.

This will be followed by a discussion exploring the different prioritization of the teaching modules across various organizations.

We urge our audience to consider it is time for psychiatric training in women's mental health to move from the margins to the center.

Abstract Body

There will be two main foci to this presentation.

Firstly, Designing and implementing a new educational program entitled "Women victims of domestic violence: Detection, clinic, help" – that is mainly based on the teaching of several modules, WPA International Curriculum for Mental Healthcare Providers on Violence Against Women. Our program is a follow-on to the one held during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, at which interest was expressed in sharing ideas and resources.

Secondly, Informing on the recent trends in Russian perinatal psychiatry. This covers the psychiatric training in the assessment domain, case management, and service evaluation.

We will introduce and review some resources for use in women's mental health practicals, propose innovative pedagogical structures for practical teachings, such as Problem Based Learning, 'Vicarious Learning,' and encourage discussion of how the practical aspects of women's mental health teaching can be supported and enhanced.

Teaching modules and training pathways will be delivered ("not too much; not too little and in the right order"), and dimensions of quality in continuing professional development in women's mental health (i.e., Sophistication, Credibility, Timeliness, and Utility) will be outlined.

This will be followed by a discussion exploring the different prioritization of the teaching modules across various organizations.

We urge our audience to consider it is time for psychiatric training in women's mental health to move from the margins to the center.

Abstract Body

Introduction: Best practice requires the treating physician to understand the needs and hopes of his/her patient, particularly in relation to pregnancy and childbirth preferences. This is even more necessary for women with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) because of the complicated decisions they face balancing the need to continue medication in pregnancy to prevent relapse against any possible harm to the foetus.

Objectives: To explore what women themselves view as most important when discussing pregnancy and childbirth with psychiatrists and what barriers there are to a) having a meaningful conversation and b) achieving optimum outcomes.

Qualitative methods were used to analyse the data from in-depth interviews with 21 women, recruited from a South London NHS organisation (76%) and the UK’s national bipolar charity (24%). The views of 25 health professionals, including 19 psychiatrists, were also collected and analysed.

Results: Many themes emerged but principally women wanted: information, continuity of care, better training for health professionals, to co-produce a detailed care plan, access to a Mother and Baby Unit, peer support and more research on medications in pregnancy.

Conclusions: This study highlighted the importance of understanding women’s needs and fears and giving them the necessary information to make the difficult decisions that face them. Such understanding is likely to lead to more positive therapeutic relationships and better long-term outcomes.

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A notable part of psychiatry is prevention. Our job, as psychiatrists, is not only to treat mental disorders, but also to prevent them. Treating mothers in postnatal period reducing the negative consequence of depression for child development, for example. General adult psychiatrists face the challenge of having patients, who receive psychiatric health care, while also planning to have a child. Many professionals may find themselves in a situation, when they feel clueless on what to advise regarding pharmacotherapy and realistic expectations on having a child.

The presentation will focus on some crucial topics. What should counselling include when planning pregnancy, highlighting differences among first and second or further children. Potentials risks and harms on the fetus / new-born baby will be introduced with emphasis on pharmacological/chemical agents, infectious effects and social, relational and family stressors. What the guidelines are for Covid-19 vaccination and pregnancy. Relative and absolute contraindications of planned pregnancy will be discussed. The crucial question of artificial/therapeutic abortion; are there any psychiatric conditions, when a psychiatrist can/should suggest it?

The advantage and knowledge of perinatal mental health guideline papers, bio-ethical aspects will be discussed, along with the consequences of untreated mental illness. Advantage of breastfeeding and an up-to-date view on what should be psychiatrists’ aim will be introduced. Why is it inevitable to cooperate with GPs, obstetric- and gynecology colleagues and further medical professionals? The essential aspect and advantages of involving fathers and extended family members in this approach also will be explained.

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This presentataion outlines the development of a post-membership masterclass programme in Perinatal Psychiatry, funded by Health Education England and delivered through the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The masterclass programme renges from 5-15 days and there are separate programmes for consultants, SAS doctors and senior trainees in psychiatry. The course is delivered by experts in the area and contains a mix of didactic teaching and small group work. The programme was developed to meet the workforce needs of rapidly expanding perinatal mental services throughout England. The programme also helps facilitate the needs of perinatal psychiatrists from Ireland and from the devolved nations of the UK (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).