Next week is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and Hull City Council’s Early Help teams have put on a series of free events for parents and children.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 10 – 16 June and this year’s theme is ’Speak up for babies’.
Infant mental health is an often overlooked and misunderstood subject – people may wonder how mental health issues can affect those so young. Infant mental health describes the social and emotional wellbeing and development of children in the earliest years of life. This includes their ability to form close relationships, recognise and express emotions and explore and learn about their environment.
Research shows that the experiences and relationships babies have in the earliest years of life influence their development. Having a positive start in life brings benefits that can be seen in a child’s later life.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week provides the opportunity to discuss the importance of supporting babies’ mental health and wellbeing.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week is co-ordinated each year by the Parent-Infant Foundation.
Pauline Turner, the Director of Children and Family Services at Hull City Council, said: “I hope families in Hull will consider coming along to a session at one of the many Family Hubs across the city. The sessions promote baby development, as well as nurture the bond between parent and child.”
See details about the sessions below:
| Date | Family Hub | Session |
| Tuesday 11 June 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Rainbow Family Hub, Wheeler Street | Rainbows and Sprinkles session |
| Tuesday 11 June 1.30pm – 2.30pm | Marfleet Family Hub, Preston Road | Baby massage |
| Thursday 13 June 10am | Parks Family Hub, Courtway Road | Tiny Explorers Play Session |
| Thursday 13 June 10.30am – 12.00 noon | Priory Family Hub, Priory Road | Sensory session, massage, Grobrain and relaxation |
| Thursday 13 June 10am | Fenchurch Family Hub, Fenchurch Street | Baby massage |
| Thursday 13 June 10.00am – 11.00am | Lemon Tree Family Hub, Lothian Way | Messy Play session for children aged 6 months – 2 years. |
| Friday 14 June 9.30am – 11.30am | Acorns Family Hub, Nestor Grove | Discover and Play Little Explorers sessions offering baby massage and Grobrain tasters |
| Friday 14 June 10.00am – 12.00 noon | Little Stars Family Hub, Preston Road | Baby yoga |
The 0-19 Health Visiting team are available for any families who are worried about their baby’s development, or their relationship with their baby. They have child health clinics across the city during Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond. Families can contact their named health visitor or call the service on (01482) 259600.
Visit Hull’s Family Hubs website for more information about the wide range of support they offer during pregnancy and throughout the first 1001 days of a child’s life: www.familyhubshull.org.uk.
