This assignment will focus on a short communication between myself and a mother (Caroline) whom I had met three times before, at the antenatal, birth, and six-to-eight week contacts. I had cancelled a three-to-four month visit with her that day on the advice of my mentor. Caroline was an experienced mum and the visit had been mainly to aid my development (Appendix One). She had sounded fine on the phone and had told me she was coming into clinic. Borton’s (1970) reflective model will be used to guide this essay, and I will analyse how the experience has improved my skills in building therapeutic relationships, while recognising areas that require work in order to fulfil my role. All names have been changed to protect confidentiality, as is the responsibility of any registered nurse (NMC 2008).
Mental and emotional wellbeing in all family members is intrinsic to the wellbeing of children. The “Healthy Child Programme” (DH 2009) identifies the assessment and promotion of this area as a core part of the health visitor’s role. A common mental health problem that impacts on children is post-natal depression, affecting 10-15% of women (Royal College of Psychiatrists n.d.). Infants whose mothers have post-natal depression often have less positive life outcomes, as discussed in Every Child Matters (HM Treasury 2003). It can impact negatively on emotional, social and mental development, often demonstrated through behavioural problems (Wrate et al., 1985), and neurological problems (Dale, 1995). This can influence outcomes into adulthood. Moehler et al. (2006) discuss how post-natal depression can affect development and quality of maternal infant attachment, stating this may be what leads to negative impact on child development (Moehler et al., 2007), a view supported by Mason (2010). Murray et al. (1996a) discuss how the change in maternal child interaction as a consequence