Unpacking Perinatal Psychiatry with Prof. Anne Buist

"These women who had delayed getting treatment and we asked why...it was very clear that in their minds they were afraid that getting postnatal depression was equal to being a bad mother, and being diagnosed as depressed was bad, but being diagnosed as a bad mother was even worse..."

We're joined by an incredibly inspiring special guest, Prof. Anne Buist, a Professor of Women's Mental Health and practising psychiatrist who specializes in postpartum psychiatric illnesses. Having run mother-baby units for over 25 years and leading research responsible for providing recommendations that were accepted by the government regarding implementing screening for perinatal depression Australia wide, Prof. Buist has truly led a genuine career of commitment and enthusiasm for her work.

Our insightful and thought-provoking conversation delves into perinatal mental illnesses, stigma, career paths, life lessons and a whole lot more!

Sooo...let's start the conversation, let's break down the misconceptions and let's learn more about perinatal mental health and psychiatry! Join us if you're keen to hear more :)))

TW: We will be discussing issues relating to mental health and perinatal mental health with regards to mental health around pregnancy and after childbirth, which may be confronting or alarming. We really encourage you to please reach out for support if you feel you need it and to only listen in if you feel comfortable and able to do so (see timestamps for descriptions of specific sections!)

Key Timestamps (as per question asked):

• 0:46 - Introduction
• 4:19 - Introduction and background from Prof. Anne Buist providing an insight into her career path and journey
• 9:35 - What are some of the mental health challenges patients you work with face and how do you provide support?
• 15:00 - Why is it important that you keep the mother and the baby together in the mother-baby units?
• 19:10 - Insight into your role as director of the beyondblue postnatal depression program from 2001-5?
• 27:05 - Experience with stigma?
• 32:58 - Any advice on how to battle that stigma?
• 37:27 - Any tips for students keen to enter the psychiatry training program?
• 41:57 - How important is research to enter the training program?
• 43:50 - Experiences as an author and work-life balance
• 52:30 - Managing own mental health as a psychiatrist, therapy, maintaining empathy and reflections

Any feedback? https://forms.gle/SYGZ4U3eL4ZEgXEp9

Resources/Links from Prof. Buist:

Circle of Security - https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/

Reading Recommendation - Ghosts in The Nursery: A Psychoanalytic Approach to the Problems of Impaired Infant-Mother Relationships (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002713809614424)