€18,500 funds Ireland's first dedicated neonatal psychology service at CHI Hospitals
Thanks to the generosity of individuals, communities, and corporate partners across Ireland, Children’s Health Foundation (CHF) has funded an Ireland’s first dedicated neonatal psychology service at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, placing psychological wellbeing and family centred care at the heart of practice.
Tiny Minds is Ireland’s first dedicated neonatal psychology service, established within a paediatric setting at Children’s Health Ireland. It represents a major step in integrating psychology and neonatology.
With donor support, enabled the infrastructure to research, develop, and deliver psychosocial interventions for families and staff in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The importance of this service is reflected in the story of Sarah, a mother of twins born at 26 weeks. Tragically, one of her sons, Joe, died at six weeks, while her other son, Jack, who has chronic lung disease, is expected to remain in hospital for several more months. Sarah is deeply traumatised, and although her presence is vital for Jack’s recovery and bonding, she struggles even with brief visits.
While psychological therapy for trauma usually takes time, Jack cannot wait. Infant outcomes in neonatal care are strongly influenced by the quality of early caregiving relationships. The first few days and weeks of life lay the social and emotional foundations for lifelong wellbeing and mental health, making this a critical psychological juncture.
Even when loss is not involved, having a baby in ICU represents a profound emotional upheaval, the loss of a normal pregnancy or birth, the immediate bonding that comes with taking a healthy baby home, and the expectations of a healthy start. Premature births are unplanned and can be deeply traumatic for families.
Specialised psychological care within NICU settings is therefore essential to improve outcomes, prevent long-term health issues, and support family-centred care. Research shows that up to 30% of NICU parents experience a diagnosable mental health disorder, while staff are at risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress.
Claire Crowe, a staff member from CHI Crumlin, commented:
“We’re making real progress as a neonatal team by placing psychological wellbeing and family-centred care at the heart of what we do. The grant from Children’s Health Foundation has allowed for shorter, more focused interventions with better outcomes. Weekly FiCare and Infant Mental Health training is shifting our culture, and staff trauma support has made a real difference.”
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Tiny Minds has already delivered measurable impact. An initial psychosocial audit of 34 NICU families led to streamlined, targeted psychological interventions, reducing therapy sessions from 26 to a maximum of 12. An induction book for Neonatology at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, has been developed and is now being adapted for the new National Children’s Hospital. Staff psychological support for trauma has been introduced, alongside 12 sessions of weekly Family Integrated Care (FiCare) training.
Overall, the Tiny Minds Project is contributing to a cultural shift within the NICU, placing psychological well-being and family-centred care at the heart of practice.
This programme illustrates how donations can make a real, immediate, and lasting difference-transforming care, empowering families, and placing psychological wellbeing and family-centred care at the heart of practise.
Children’s Health Foundation (CHF) relies entirely on the kindness and generosity of individuals, communities and corporate partners across Ireland and beyond. It is only through this vital support that CHF can continue to deliver holistic care for the most vulnerable babies and their families, investing in life-saving equipment, essential family supports, enhanced facilities, new services and critical paediatric research.
