Maternal Mental Health: A Toolkit for Engaging Faith Actors as Change Agent

Given the high prevalence of mental health conditions in the perinatal period—pregnancy up to two years after birth—global attention to mental health is essential. Communities must work together to support prevention, early detection, and treatment of mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum, when the risk of mental disorders is highest. While the research and recommendations in this toolkit reflect the specific “perinatal” period in general and “perinatal mental health” in particular, this document will largely use “maternal mental health” to describe mental well-being of pregnant adolescent girls and women and mothers of young children in more familiar terms unless quoting another source that uses the term “perinatal.” Although the toolkit focuses on pregnant adolescent girls and women and mothers of young children in all of their diversity (age, gender, ability status, stable/fragile setting), mental health is a part of overall wellness for all individuals. Thus, many parts of this toolkit are relevant for all people.

Source: USAID
Year: 2024