Meet Dr. Rena Bina

What do women experience in the period preceding and following childbirth, and what effect does the COVID-19 pandemic have on these mothers and their families? Meet Dr. Rena Bina, of the Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work at Bar-Ilan University, who researches the mental health of perinatal women and the services provided to them at the personal, family, professional and organizational levels.

Dr. Bina is a member of an international scientific consortium, spanning 13 countries, which deals with the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant and postpartum women. The Corona crisis has spurred on the development of emotional distress, and Dr. Bina and colleagues are examining various facets, for example, changes in the women’s social and economic situation. This research will follow these women for a period of six months.

Another area which Dr. Bina explores focuses on promoting the wellness of people coping with severe psychiatric challenges vis-à-vis physical health, daily and social functioning, as well as mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Alongside her academic activities, Dr. Bina is also involved in promoting policy on issues relating to perinatal mental health and coping with severe psychiatric disabilities. She is a member of forums in Israel and abroad that advance these areas in order to influence policy change and promote various programs. For example, she is a member of the National Council for Psychiatric Rehabilitation in the Community.

Dr. Bina joined the Bar-Ilan academic faculty after 20 years in the community mental health care field and, today, promotes the area through research, writing, teaching and influencing policy decisions. She was recently selected as an outstanding lecturer at Bar-Ilan University. She holds a BA in Psychology from BIU, an MSW from Yeshiva University, and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Maryland.