Innovation details
The innovation depends on leveraging the capacity of universities in training the next generation of health care professionals, engaging the Ministry of Health to ensure the sustainability of the program, and working with existing community leaders in ways that emphasize undertaking their existing practice differently, rather than adding new tasks. The following activities are being undertaken:
Training
- Training students in nursing and midwifery in maternal mental health
- Training community women leaders in maternal mental health and active listening techniques in 30 intervention communities
Screening
- Recent mental health nursing graduates will screen all new mothers in 60 communities (30 intervention, 30 control) for postnatal depression and presence social support both before and after the intervention
- Mothers with severe depression will be referred for additional care
Home Visits by Community Women Leaders
- As part of their regular activities, trained community women leaders will regularly visit all new and expectant mothers in the 30 intervention communities for one month prior to delivery and 12 months following delivery.
- Community women leaders will provide emotional support through active listening, and identify mothers who may need additional support or care
Engagement of Communities
- Six community advisory boards will be organized to support community women leaders and to raise community awareness of maternal mental health issues
Engagement of Healthcare Policymakers
- Collaboration has been established with the Ministry of Health around content of training, design of intervention, and subsequent mobilization of knowledge
