Perinatal Mental Health and Policing Life Conference

This conference, hosted by Greater Manchester Police, 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 and new mums (estimates around 1 in 5) and their partners (estimates around 1 in 10) – 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. 

Wednesday 18 January 2023:  09.30 arrival for 10.00 start.  Expected close 16.30.

This event is designed to showcase research into this issue in the context of UK policing, as well as associated research insights, and drive discussions around appropriate policy and practice development to bring benefit to both police officers/staff and their organisations.

The conference involves a range of speakers including:

• Dr Krystal Wilkinson (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Dr Sarah-Jane Lennie (The OU, Policing Organisation and Practice): Perinatal mental health in UK policing study
• Dr Kelly Duddin (The OU, Policing Organisation and Practice): Maternity experiences in UK policing survey study
• Dr Sarah-Jane Lennie (The OU, Policing Organisation and Practice): Police families study
• Dani Gillett from PANDAS Foundation (perinatal mental health charity)
• Rachael McGrath from the Birth Trauma Association
• Sgt Jennifer Sharpling (Metropolitan Police Service): National Blue Minds working group
• Scott Mair (PMH Support): Dad’s mental health & Fathers Beacon project (support for fathers in frontline occupations)

For more details please contact: Krystal (k.wilkinson@mmu.ac.uk) or Sarah-Jane (Sarah-jane.lennie@open.ac.uk).

Book your space here