The Silent Burden: Maternal Mental Health and the Importance of Engaging Faith Actors

Mental health lacks proper attention in the health sector, both in funding and response, despite its high prevalence rate. The perinatal period is a particularly crucial time to address mental health concerns as it is associated with an elevated risk of mental disorders. Faith actors and FBOs can make a difference in countries and on the global stage in vastly improving maternal mental health. This webinar held February 3, 2022 shared the results from a landscape assessment of faith actors and FBO involvement in maternal mental health and explored how to leverage the influence and reach of faith communities to help women facing mental health issues during this critical period. We heard from Karen Hoehn, MPM, Director, International Development, Bonstar Consulting; Suzanne Stalls, MA, CNM, FACNM, Director, Maternal and Newborn Health, MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership. The discussion was moderated by Allison Flynn, MPH, Senior Health and Nutrition Program Advisor, World Relief.