BACKGROUND:
Perinatal mental health is a public health concern, and midwives are uniquely positioned to provide perinatal mental health support.

OBJECTIVES:
Midwives must often provide perinatal mental health care to mothers with mental health problems. However, meeting such care demands falls outside their expertise, leaving them psychologically burdened.

METHODS:
We examined psychologist-led group supervision as a form of ‘support for midwives’ who provide perinatal mental health care and examined its impact on their competency. This study involved 11 midwives working at home-visit stations that support women with perinatal mental health problems. Experienced psychologists conducted three sessions of group supervision focused on self-reflection, case sharing, feedback, and support strategies. Data from individual interviews post-supervision were thematically analysed.

RESULTS:
Six themes emerged: (1) Corrected the understanding of the whole case and reduced and modified negative emotions; (2) Recognised the need for goal setting and evaluation in home-visit care services and identified improvement areas; (3) Learnt and practised counselling skills; (4) Realised the benefits of peer support through the psychologist’s counselling experiences; (5) Increased understanding and trust among colleagues through the effects of group learning; and (6) Enhanced understanding of the professionalism of psychologists.

CONCLUSIONS:
Psychologist-led group supervision helped midwives increase their understanding of cases, improve their goal setting and evaluation skills, acquire counselling skills, and understand the importance of trusting colleagues and other professionals. Access to psychologist-led supervision needs improving.

KEY MESSAGE:
Group supervision helped midwives understand mothers’ developmental characteristics, easing negative feelings, while offering a judgement-free space to share experiences. Poster session 3 (Group B)