Infant Mental Health

doi:10.1017/9781009110266.004

Chapter 4 - Infant Mental Health

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 October 2025

Zoë Davidson and

Anne McFadyen

Edited by

Shermin Imran

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Shermin Imran: Affiliation:
Greater Manchester NHS Foundation Trust

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Summary

Infancy is a time of great opportunity and hope. The mental health of infants is key to the health and wellbeing of society as a whole. Psychiatrists have an important role to play in this field of psychiatry, and knowledge in infant mental health is foundational to all specialties.This chapter describes the importance of infant mental health and explores the theoretical underpinnings of the specialty. The case for infant mental health services is discussed along with a needs-led approach to the provision of services. Clinical assessment and intervention are described broadly with examples of common intervention modalities.

Keywords

infant mental health IMH infant psychiatry

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Type: Chapter
Information: Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , pp. 49 - 66

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009110266.004 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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