MENTAL HEALTH
Integrating Mental Health into Maternal and Child Health
Psychosocial support is a key part of our Maternal and Child Health approach. A mother’s emotional well-being affects her physical health and plays a vital role in the baby’s growth and development. By addressing mental health, we reduce stress and anxiety, improve coping skills, and strengthen overall family health.
Care Group sessions for pregnant and breastfeeding women under 24 years now integrates maternal health and child care education with mental health support. Group therapy within these sessions provides a safe space for young mothers to share experiences, learn positive coping strategies, and build resilience.
This integration has made our Care Group Project stronger, as healthier minds lead to healthier mothers, healthier babies, and stronger communities.
Mental Health: The Heart of Maternal and Child Health
Strong minds build healthy families. Through over 1,000 individual therapy sessions and 1500 group sessions, we have helped mothers manage stress, overcome anxiety, and stay emotionally strong during pregnancy and motherhood. These mental health services improve maternal well-being, leading to safer pregnancies, healthier babies, and stronger families.
The project has also made 100+ specialized care referrals, ensuring that even the most vulnerable receive the right support. By caring for mental health, we are protecting mothers, nurturing children, and building a resilient community in Mathare’s informal settlement.
Healing Together: Mental Health Support in the Community
Young mothers coming together through CPN’s Care Group Mental Health Therapy sessions. These safe spaces give young mothers the chance to share their struggles, find hope, and support one another. By talking openly, they are breaking the silence around mental health and building strength as a community.
Together, they are proving that healing starts when we listen, care, and walk side by side.
Strengthening Communities through Mental Health Training
Equipping Community Health Promoters with vital knowledge and skills in mental health and psychosocial support. This training enables them to identify early signs of distress, offer immediate support, and make timely referrals for specialized care.
By building the capacity of local health promoters, CPN is ensuring that mental health support is brought closer to families and community members. These trained promoters are now better prepared to respond to issues such as stress, trauma, and depression within the Care Groups.
This initiative not only empowers Community Health Promoters but also strengthens the entire community by breaking stigma, encouraging open conversations, and creating safe spaces where young mothers can find hope and healing.
Trizah’s Journey from Fear to Strength
At 24 years old, Trizah was excited to become a mother for the first time. During a routine clinic visit at seven months, she received news that changed everything she was expecting twins. Even more surprising, the babies were in separate amniotic sacs, meaning they could be delivered on different days.
For a young woman living in Mathare, this was overwhelming. She worried about how she would manage two newborns in such challenging conditions. The uncertainty and fear led to anxiety and withdrawal from friends and family.
Everything began to change when Trizah shared her story during a care group meeting. Surrounded by women who understood her struggles, she received encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support. Through our maternal and child health program, she attended regular sessions on newborn care, nutrition, and mental health. She also received counseling that helped her manage stress and prepare for delivery.
When her twins finally arrived, Trizah felt ready. She had the knowledge, confidence, and support network she needed. Both babies were born healthy, and Trizah emerged from the experience stronger than she imagined possible.
Her story reflects the impact of our work in Mathare. By combining health education, mental health support, and community empowerment, we help mothers like Trizah overcome fear, prepare for safe deliveries, and give their children the best start in life. Each success story is a reminder that with the right care, even the most vulnerable communities can thrive.