This conference aims to raise awareness and drive change around perinatal mental health as an important wellbeing issue within UK policing. Perinatal refers to the time-period of pregnancy to one-year post-birth. Mental illness is sadly common in this period – for both pregnant women/new mums and their partners – with conditions including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis. Whilst for some individuals this may relate to a prior mental health diagnosis, many individuals experience complications for the first time in this period.
To date, there has been little research on the intersection between this issue and employment. This event is designed to showcase research within the context of UK policing, and drive discussions around appropriate policy and practice development to benefit police officers/staff and their organisations.
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in/involved in wellbeing at work and/or maternity management for police officers and staff, including academics, specialist groups and organisations, senior police staff, those with line manager responsibilities in policing, and those with lived experience.
Speakers include:
- Dr Krystal Wilkinson and Dr SJ Lennie: Perinatal mental health in UK policing study
- Dr Keely Duddin and Kendal Wright (The Open University): Maternity experiences in UK policing research
- Dr Sarah-Jane Lennie: Police families’ study
- Dani Gillett from PANDAS Foundation (perinatal mental health charity)
- Rachael McGrath from the Birth Trauma Association
- Sgt Jennifer Sharpling: National Blue Minds working group
- Scott Mair: Dad’s mental health & Fathers Beacon project (support for fathers in frontline occupations)