Goal To establish community-based centers specializing in the mental health of very young children. To detect, at an early stage, children who are at risk of developing emotional and developmental disorders at an early stage, and provide preventive care. To address the therapeutic needs of infants with mental health problems.

Overview The field of infant mental health deals with the early detection of children who are at risk of developing emotional and developmental disorders. Specialists in infant mental health are needed since pediatric physicians often misdiagnose eating disorders, sleep disorders, developmental delays and communication disorders. A pilot project was developed by the Geha psychiatric hospital in Petach Tikva to train specialists in this relatively new field. As a result of the pilot, interest grew among professionals in acquiring more knowledge or training in this field. The Ministry of Health was also aware of the significance of the project and was interested in its nationwide implementation. Consequently, a five-year project has been implemented to train six child psychiatry residents at existing clinics. The trained staff have established six regional Infant Mental Health centers within existing community mental health facilities. Each of these centers is committed to continue the employment of the child psychiatrist after his training year and of the paramedical staff after the first 3 years of the project. The new Infant Mental Health centers are located in Be'er Sheva, Nes Tziona, Jerusalem , Haifa and Safed, in addition to the pilot in Petah Tikva.

Sacta-Rashi's Involvement Training of child psychiatry residents Para-medical staff Equipment in centers

Partners Ministry of Health Geha Hospital