PIRI: Parent-Infant Research Institute, 300 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg (2026)

15/04/2026

We’re pleased to share that Jennie Ericksen, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Program and Training Manager at PIRI, will be presenting at the Australian Fatherhood Research Symposium ( ) on 7–8 May.

She will be speaking about DadBooster, PIRI’s nationally accredited, evidence-based program designed to support fathers during the transition to parenthood. DadBooster focuses on strengthening mental health, building confidence, and supporting relationships during a time that is often overlooked in the health system.

Fathers play a critical role in family wellbeing, yet support for dads remains limited and inconsistent. Programs like DadBooster are helping to shift this, ensuring fathers are better supported during early parenting.

If you’re attending AFRS2026 (in Melbourne or online), we encourage you to come along and hear this presentation.

https://www.ausfatherhoodresearch.org/afrs-2026

Learn more about DadBooster:
https://www.dadspace.com.au/programs/dadbooster/

15/04/2026

Do you support men who are planning a family, trying for a baby, or navigating early fatherhood?

We’re sharing this survey from Healthy Male as part of the Plus Paternal initiative, which is focused on improving how the health system supports fathers across preconception, pregnancy and early parenting.

If you work in this space, your insights can help identify what’s working, where the gaps remain, and what needs to change.

Have your say here: https://bit.ly/4vlOSR2

31/03/2026

Milestone reached: recruitment complete

Recruitment for the Beating the Blues before Birth study has now closed, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part or supported the study along the way.

Data collection is continuing, with findings to be shared through peer-reviewed publications once available.

In the meantime, we encourage continued screening for perinatal depression and referral to PIRI’s evidence-based digital programs. Mum2BMoodBooster can be offered to pregnant women experiencing low mood, while MumMoodBooster supports women in the postnatal period. Both programs are free, accessible online, and can be used alongside existing care.

Thank you again to all participants and supporters. Your contribution is helping improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Free, evidence-based online treatment for perinatal depression and anxiety
https://www.mumspace.com.au/online-treatments/

22/03/2026

Meet the team behind PIRI’s research and programs

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), our work is driven by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers and implementation specialists committed to advancing perinatal and infant mental health.

Founded and led by Professor Jeannette Milgrom AM, PIRI has built a national and international reputation for translating rigorous research into evidence-based, scalable interventions for families.

Our team includes clinical psychologists, research fellows, public health physicians, digital health experts, midwives, implementation specialists and governance leaders. Together, they design and evaluate clinical trials, develop digital and face-to-face interventions, lead national initiatives, and support workforce training across Australia.

From world-first treatment trials and neurodevelopmental research to digital mental health innovation and group-based therapeutic programs, PIRI’s staff bring deep expertise across:

- Perinatal depression and anxiety

- Parent–infant relationships and attachment

- Prematurity and early brain development

- Digital mental health and implementation science

- Screening, policy and national workforce development

This integrated research-to-practice model underpins our impact across clinical services, digital programs and national initiatives.

Learn more about the PIRI team and our work:
https://www.piri.org.au/about-piri/piri-staff/

19/03/2026

Support for strengthening the parent–baby relationship

The early parent–infant relationship can be shaped by a range of factors, including prematurity, difficult births, parental mental health challenges, or reduced confidence in reading infant cues.

When early interactions feel strained or uncertain, timely, relationship-focused support can significantly improve outcomes for both parent and child.

PIRI offers a suite of therapeutic, evidence-based programs designed to strengthen bonding, enhance parental sensitivity and support emotional connection.

Our relationship-focused programs include:

👶 Community HUGS Therapeutic Playgroup
Guided therapeutic play to strengthen mother–infant relationships.

🤱 BabyHUGS
Supporting attuned, confident mother–infant relationships following depression.

🍼 PremieHUGS Playgroup
Strengthening early bonds for families of premature infants.

🏥 PremieStart
Improving mother–baby interaction during premature hospital care.

🎶 Intuitive Mothering Movement and Dance
Using movement-based approaches to deepen mother–infant connection.

These programs are grounded in neurobiological and relational research and are designed to complement clinical care in community, hospital and early parenting settings.

Explore PIRI’s treatment programs and referral pathways:
https://www.piri.org.au/piris-treatment-programs/

17/03/2026

Support during pregnancy and preparation for parenthood

Pregnancy is a period of significant psychological and relational transition. Alongside anticipation and planning, many women experience anxiety, low mood or heightened stress.

PIRI offers a range of evidence-based programs to support emotional wellbeing during pregnancy, spanning prevention, early intervention and structured treatment.

Our antenatal and preparation programs include:

💻 Mum2BMoodBooster
Online CBT-based treatment for depression and anxiety during pregnancy.

📱 MindMum App
Early support for managing mood, stress and emotional wellbeing.

📘 Towards Parenthood
Practical preparation and emotional support for the transition to parenthood.

🌱 Baby Steps
Everyday support for adjustment, wellbeing and confidence in early parenthood.

🛡 Beating the Blues before Birth
Early intervention program for antenatal depression.

These programs are grounded in rigorous research and designed to complement clinical care across maternity, primary care and mental health settings.

Explore PIRI’s treatment programs and referral pathways:
https://www.piri.org.au/piris-treatment-programs/

15/03/2026

Support for postnatal depression and anxiety after birth

The postnatal period is a time of significant psychological and relational adjustment. For some parents, this includes the onset or escalation of depression and anxiety.

PIRI offers a suite of evidence-based programs to support families after birth, spanning early intervention through to structured treatment.

Our postnatal programs include:

💻 MumMoodBooster
Online CBT-based treatment for postnatal depression and anxiety.

👨‍👧 DadBooster
Structured online treatment program supporting fathers’ mental health.

📱 MindMum App
Early support for managing mood, stress and emotional wellbeing.

🛡 Getting Ahead of PND
Early intervention program for mothers at risk of postnatal depression.

👥 Overcoming Depression
Structured group treatment for postnatal depression.

These programs are grounded in research and designed to integrate with clinical care across primary, maternity and mental health settings.

Explore PIRI’s treatment programs and referral pathways:
https://www.piri.org.au/piris-treatment-programs/

12/03/2026

Supporting parents and infants during pregnancy and early parenthood requires access to reliable, evidence-based tools.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we work closely with health professionals to strengthen assessment, referral pathways and intervention options across the perinatal period.

Our dedicated Health Professionals section brings together practical resources to support day-to-day clinical work, including:

🧭 A stepped-care model of programs

🔁 Referral pathways to MumMoodBooster, Mum2BMoodBooster, DadBooster and MumSpace

📊 Guidance on interpreting and acting on screening results

🏥 Information about clinical services and accredited providers

💻 Access to digital programs and current trials

🎓 Workshops, training opportunities and downloadable resources

All content is grounded in PIRI’s research and clinical expertise and aligned with contemporary perinatal mental health practice.

Whether you are working in primary care, maternity services, mental health, community health or private practice, our aim is to support you with practical, scalable tools that improve outcomes for parents and infants.

Explore resources for health professionals:
https://www.piri.org.au/resources-for-health-professionals/

10/03/2026

Becoming a parent can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. Many families experience periods of uncertainty, stress or emotional exhaustion during pregnancy and the early years.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we recognise that support needs vary. Some parents benefit from clear, practical information. Others may require structured online programs, group-based interventions, or specialist clinical support alongside digital tools.

Our approach is to provide flexible, evidence-based options so parents can access the right level of care at the right time.

PIRI’s suite of supports includes:

✅ Evidence-based online treatments such as MumMoodBooster, Mum2BMoodBooster and DadBooster

✅ Targeted prevention programs including PREP

✅ Relationship-focused interventions such as Circle of Security Parenting

✅ Group and individual programs for postnatal depression

✅ Specialist Infant Clinic services during pregnancy and the first two years

✅ Parent resources, workshops and workforce education

Across all programs, our focus remains consistent: strengthening parental mental health, supporting early relationships, and improving developmental outcomes.

We continue to work alongside health professionals to ensure our programs are practical, accessible and aligned with real-world service delivery.

Learn more about PIRI’s support for parents:
https://www.piri.org.au/support-for-parents/

08/03/2026

For more than two decades, the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) has combined basic and applied research to strengthen perinatal mental health care and early parent–infant relationships.

Our research spans antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, paternal wellbeing, prematurity and early developmental outcomes, infant mental health, and the neurobiological foundations of early relationships.

PIRI has a strong track record in designing and evaluating interventions through rigorous randomised controlled trials. Our work has generated world-first findings, including evidence for effective online psychological treatments for postnatal depression (MumMoodBooster), interventions improving brain connectivity in premature infants (Premiestart), and antenatal treatment approaches associated with improved infant developmental outcomes.

We have also led large-scale screening and implementation research, including studies involving more than 40,000 women, and played a central role in shaping national screening policy and workforce training. This body of work contributed to the National Perinatal Depression Initiative and Australia’s universal perinatal screening framework.

Across all programs and studies, our focus remains consistent: translating robust research into practical, scalable interventions that improve outcomes for parents and infants.

Learn more about PIRI’s research and impact:
https://www.piri.org.au/

06/03/2026

Why was PIRI developed? Because the earliest years matter.

PIRI was established in response to compelling evidence that early life experiences, parental mental health, and prematurity have profound and lasting effects on children’s development, yet timely, evidence-based supports for families were often fragmented or limited.

The first years of life are a period of rapid brain development. During this time, infants are entirely dependent on caregivers, and early relational experiences shape neural connections that influence cognitive, emotional and behavioural outcomes across the lifespan. Secure attachment, caregiver sensitivity and reduced parental stress are not “soft” variables. They are foundational determinants of long-term wellbeing.

In Australia, more than 300,000 babies are born each year. Around 60,000 mothers experience perinatal depression or anxiety, with significant associated impacts on children and families. Economic modelling estimates substantial lifetime costs, largely driven by long-term child outcomes.

The evidence is clear. Early intervention is both clinically necessary and economically responsible.

For over 24 years, the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) has focused on strengthening early environments through research, program development and implementation of evidence-based perinatal mental health interventions.

Investing in the earliest years is an investment in lifelong outcomes.

Learn more about our work:
https://www.piri.org.au/

04/03/2026

Investing in the earliest years to build a brighter future

The first years of life are foundational for long-term health and development. Yet perinatal mental health challenges remain significantly under-treated in Australia.

Each year, around one in five women experience perinatal anxiety or depression. Up to half go undiagnosed, and only a small proportion receive appropriate support. One in ten new fathers are also affected.

Early intervention is critical, not only to reduce immediate distress, but to mitigate longer-term impacts on parent-infant relationships, child development and family wellbeing.

For more than 24 years, the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) has been dedicated to advancing perinatal mental health through rigorous research and evidence-based early intervention programs.

Our nationally accredited digital treatments, including MumMoodBooster and Mum2BMoodBooster (via MumSpace) and DadBooster (via DadSpace), provide structured, CBT-based support for parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety.

We remain committed to strengthening the systems that support families during this crucial transition.

Learn more about our work and programs:
https://www.piri.org.au/

PIRI: Parent-Infant Research Institute

15/04/2026

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