Free Webinar

Maternal Mental Health: Impact on the Infant

Untreated maternal mental health conditions can have long-term negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the infant. Experts in the field of infant and early childhood mental health will share information about approaches and interventions that focus on the mother-infant dyad to ensure infants get off to the best start possible.

When: Thursday, July 31 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET

Where: Zoom

*CEUs not available.

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This webinar is made possible by the generous support of the Irving Harris Foundation.

Meet the Webinar Presenters

PRESENTER

Ruthie Arbit, LICSW

Pediatric, Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Therapist

  • Ruthie Arbit is a pediatric, perinatal and infant mental health therapist with almost 15 years of experience in the field. Her clinical experience has focused on a range of maternal and child-focused programs including working at a therapeutic nursery, embedded within a high risk obstetric setting, working in a domestic violence shelter, and doing home visiting. Ruthie also directs a group psychotherapy practice focused on pediatric and perinatal mental health and pharmacology.

    For the past 8 years, Ruthie has worked as a clinician in the Medstar Georgetown University Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry program where she currently leads the Infant Mental Health integration into the Mother-Baby IOP (intensive outpatient program). Ruthie teaches, writes, and contributes to research and advocacy in perinatal and pediatric mental health. She has published in a number of acclaimed publications and presents at national conferences. She is also on the Board of Washington DC's Postpartum Support International Chapter.   

PRESENTER

Lee Johnson III, PhD

Senior Fellow, Early Childhood Education, Southern Education Foundation

  • Lee Johnson III, Ph.D., serves as Senior Fellow for Early Childhood Education at the Southern Education Foundation (SEF), where he directs the Southern Early Childhood Education Justice (SECEJ) Network.

    The SECEJ Network is a regional coalition of caregivers, early learning providers, advocates, and researchers dedicated to expanding early learning opportunities for children and families across the South.

    For more than a decade, Dr. Johnson has worked to translate the science of early childhood development and infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) into practical policies and resources that respond to the strengths and needs of young children and their families.

    Previously, he served as Vice President of Policy at the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), where he led the organization's advocacy, research, and public policy initiatives. During his tenure, he co-created the Eight Essential Outcomes for Black Child Development framework, which guided the Institute’s work.

    Before joining NBCDI, Dr. Johnson was a Senior Policy Analyst for lECMH at ZERO TO THREE (ZTT), where he advanced legislative and regulatory strategies to strengthen the size, diversity, quality, and accessibility of the IECMH clinical workforce.

    Earlier in his career, Dr. Johnson served as Director at the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and State Director of First 5 Alabama®. In these roles, he advised state leaders on expanding IECMH capacity and directed the state's Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.

    He currently serves as Board Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA), and is a 2024 Pritzker Children's Initiative, Rockwood prenatal-to-three leadership fellow.

    Dr. Johnson earned his B.S. in early childhood education, an M.A., and a Ph.D. in public health from the University of Alabama.

MODERATOR

Adrienne Griffen, MPP

Executive Director, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA)

  • Adrienne is an advocate and subject-matter expert in maternal mental health.

    Prior to joining MMHLA, Adrienne founded Postpartum Support Virginia and served as executive director for 10 years, establishing a statewide network of peer-led support groups, creating educational programs for mental health providers and maternal-child healthcare professionals, and helping pass legislation requiring information about postpartum depression and anxiety be provided to new mothers.

    Adrienne graduated from the United States Naval Academy and has a master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Register for the Webinar

CEUs not available.

FAQs

  • No, there are no CEUs available for this webinar.

  • Yes, we will email a recording to all registrants. Make sure you register if you wan to receive it.

  • We do our best to accommodate everyone who attends. Email mhemstad@mmhla.org with your request.

  • Yes, there are 10 minutes of Q&A in this webinar where you can ask the speakers your questions.

    You can also submit your question in advance using the registration form.