Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health
Next intake onto this programme is September 2025, you can register your interest here
Course Overview
Recognising and responding to women with perinatal mental health conditions requires enhanced knowledge and skills. By closely assessing for change and interpreting early signs of psychological decline, healthcare professionals are more likely to identify deterioration and accelerate care in a timely and appropriate manner.
The Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health aims to empower health care professionals with the knowledge and skills to develop their expertise in supporting women experiencing perinatal mental health issues and to work collaboratively with their family and the multidisciplinary team in promoting evidence based compassionate care that empowers women and aids their individualised recovery.
Recognising and responding to women with perinatal mental health conditions requires enhanced knowledge and skills. By closely assessing for change and interpreting early signs of psychological decline, healthcare professionals are more likely to identify deterioration and accelerate care in a timely and appropriate manner.
The Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health will allow healthcare providers to develop their knowledge and skills in the recognition, assessment, care/ referral and evaluation of women in this regard.
What makes this course different
Approved by NMBI
- This programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives.
Course Delivery and Modules
This programme is delivered via live online lectures on Wednesdays from 08.30 to 16.00hrs for a total of 9 days over the semester (approx).
One face-to-face teaching day in DkIT will be offered to students as an option during the programme. This option will be decided upon by the student group.
Students will also be required to undertake directed and independent study.
Please note this timetable is subject to change.
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Course Content
The content of the Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health will include:
- Introduction to Perinatal Mental Health
- Theoretical/Philosophical Foundations of PMH
- Coping mechanisms
- Living with Personality Disorders, Anxiety and Depression
- Living with Pre-existing/New onset Conditions
- Trauma and Recovery (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Trauma related to labour and birth; Tokophobia; Loss and Bereavement)
- The impact of perinatal mental health across the lifespan
- Communication skills
- Structured Holistic Assessment
- Therapeutic interventions and recovery principles
- Applied Practice.
Module module details are availabe here
Fees and Funding
Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees
Fees
€950
Entry Requirements
- This programme is suitable for Nurses, Midwives and Health and Social Care professionals.
- All applicants will normally hold a relevant level 8 qualification (or equivalent), be registered with their recognised professional body and be working within a practice setting that engages with women who may experience perinatal mental health conditions.
- Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification may apply for entry to the programme in accordance with the procedures outlined in the DkIT Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Learn more about RPL at DkIT
- Applicants may be interviewed
- Due to the blended learning delivery within this course students should have access to a PC / Mac, a headset with a mic, and a broadband internet connection from home, so as to be able to fully participate in the course.
- Basic IT skills essential.
Ask us a Question
If you have a question about the Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health please ask it below and we will get back to you.
Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).
