Strategies for Reducing and Treating Maternal Mental Health Disorders

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By: Simone Honikman, Director/Senior Researcher, Perinatal Mental Health Project, University of Cape Town

In South Africa, 47% of pregnant women and 34% of women after birth in low-income settings experience maternal depression. Despite the high prevalence, there is no state-provided programmatic response. Resolved to develop a meaningful response to this hidden crisis, a small group of midwives, volunteer counsellors and a medical doctor envisioned integrating mental health care for mothers at all points of entry in public sector services. The program they implemented was a success and has impacted thousands of lives… read more