The mental health and wellbeing of our youngest and most vulnerable family members will take centre stage at the annual Queensland Infant Mental Health Symposium in Brisbane next month.
The symposium, presented by Children’s Health Queensland’s Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, brings together hundreds of professionals working across health, education and community services.
This year’s theme, “Nurturing the smallest voices: Every baby seen, heard and supported”, highlights the importance of connected, collaborative systems of care that respond to the needs of infants and their families.
Children’s Health Queensland child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr Ewa Bodnar, said the symposium played an important role in improving how services worked together to support families across sectors.
“Families often engage with multiple services in the early years, which can feel fragmented rather than a cohesive system of support,” Dr Bodnar said.
“Infant mental health is complex and often not immediately visible. Babies communicate through their behaviour, relationships, and responses to their environment rather than words, which means their needs can sometimes be missed or misunderstood.
“We know when infants and families are met with safe, responsive and nurturing care early in life, it has a lasting impact, supporting healthier developmental, emotional and social outcomes across childhood and into adulthood,” she said.
“Strengthening our shared understanding across services ensures we can provide more consistent, relationship-based and effective support for infants and their families.”
As Queensland’s only dedicated professional development event focused on infant mental health, the symposium provides an opportunity for researchers, educators and community representatives to share knowledge, challenge thinking and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
The two-day program will feature keynote presentations from Dr Anusha Lachman, Dr Nicole Milburn and Sally Watson.
There will also be workshops and panel discussions exploring culturally responsive, family-centred approaches to practice, and the importance of safe and supportive environments for infants and families during the perinatal period and early childhood.
The 2026 Queensland Infant Mental Health Symposium, now in its third year, will be held on 11 and 12 June at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
For more information about the symposium, held during Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, visit qimhs.com.au.
ENDS
Media contact: t: +61 7 3068 5111 e: chqnews@health.qld.gov.au