Chi Sigma Iota will be hosting licensed social worker In-Gyu Jang to speak on the field of infant mental health. 

This is not the first time Jang spoke for students. The first time was in a counselor education class for human growth and development. Jang was asked to return by popular request. 

“This topic was chosen because Ms. Jang and her presentation received such positive feedback from students and the professor from the counselor education course. Those in this program expressed a desire to learn more about the topic,” said Josie David, graduate student in counselor education and president elect of CHI. 

The affirmative response is a good sign for this emerging field.  

“Infant mental health is a relatively new and fast-growing field in mental health,” said David. “It is preventative in nature and therefore in great need. It is a topic that not many people have knowledge about but is very interesting and beneficial to those in the mental health field.” 

Though the nature of infant mental health is to avert problems, it is also based upon an infant-caregiver system. 

According to the World Association for Mental Health webpage, infant mental health is defined “as the ability to develop physically, cognitively and socially in a manner which allows them to master the primary emotional tasks of early childhood without serious disruption caused by harmful life events. Because infants grow in context of nurturing environment, infant mental health involves the psychological balance of the infant-family system.”

According to David, invitations have been sent out to professionals in the area such as social workers and counselors and will provide opportunities for students to network with professionals who attend the event as well as information for those who pursue careers revolving around mental health. 

Though the lecture is on infant mental health, all are welcome to attend. 

“This presentation is meant to be informative for those who do not have knowledge in infant mental health, so no previous background or knowledge is needed before coming to the presentation,” said David. “I would like students to know this is a new, fast-growing, preventative, needed, important and interesting topic in mental health.” 

Cost to attend the lecture is $35 for professional non-members, $30 for professional members, $20 for student non-members and $15 for student members of CSI. Rates will increase by $5 on-site. 

Registration forms and payment can be dropped off to David in Room 108 of White Hall by Wednesday.