The final conference and management committee meeting of the COST Action DEVOTION (CA18211) has been hosted by Prof. Jean Calleja Agius from the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta. The chairperson of this Action is Prof. Joan Lalor from Trinity College Dublin. This COST Action brings together clinicians and other healthcare professionals, psychologists, researchers and patient organisations from over 33 countries in order to connect a pan-European multidisciplinary network of experts involved in perinatal care.

This 3-day conference was held at the Valletta Campus in Malta on the 26-28 June 2023. Her Excellency President Emeritus Dr Marie Louise Coleiro Preca delivered the opening keynote address, where she stressed the importance of policy makers in establishing safe maternal and child healthcare for all, including migrants.

Birth should be understood through a neuro-biopsychosocial framework. Traumatic births can leave a long-term imprint on the mother and child, which needs to be taken into account in research and clinical practice. Recommendations for policy include that national and international guidelines for maternity and mental health care are needed to increase awareness of perinatal mental health problems, and outline evidence-based, practical strategies for detection, prevention, and treatment. During the conference, all the work that has been carried out by all the members and participants of the COST Action DEVOTION was showcased, followed by plans for the way foward for future collaboration.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Prof. Jean Calleja-Agius or visiting the website.