Prioritizing the Mental Health of Mothers in Peru

Pregnancy and new motherhood are often happy times in a woman’s life, but they can be challenging seasons, too. As women undergo physical and hormonal changes, they may struggle with their mental health. In low- and middle-income countries, one in four women experiences depression during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth.

Cecilia Izarra Ramos, country manager for CMMB Peru, sees the strain firsthand in Peruvian communities. Women often feel alone as they grapple with financial stress, new responsibilities, and limited family support. “Pregnant women and new mothers in Peru face a series of factors that make mental health support extremely important,” she said.

Yet few women receive the mental health support they need. CMMB is working to change this. Here’s a look at how our mental health programming in Peru delivers comprehensive care that goes beyond physical healthcare to improve women’s overall well-being and that of their children.

Depression and Anxiety Pose Serious Challenges

Peru, a country of 34 million people, is well-known for its natural landscapes, its history, and its culture. But beyond tourist destinations like Machu Picchu, Peru faces serious challenges. In certain regions, people live with little, unable to reliably access health and education services. Food insecurity is widespread, particularly among children and pregnant women.

Since 2012, CMMB has worked in Huancayo, a city located in the Andes Mountains, and Trujillo, Peru’s third-most populous city. In these cities’ impoverished communities, daily life can be challenging—even more so during pregnancy. During this vulnerable time, we see women suffering from anxiety and depression, often made worse by food insecurity and poor nutritional health. Left untreated, these conditions can negatively affect a mother’s health and lead to serious health issues for their child, including low birth weight and developmental disorders. Mothers may struggle to bond with their babies, causing long-lasting health challenges for both.

Comprehensive Care for Expectant Mothers

With support from our partner and working with local government, CMMB is incorporating much-needed mental health services into our programming in Peru. Currently, we serve more than 2,000 pregnant women across 12 health facilities, reaching more than 7,200 household members in their surrounding communities.

Strengthening Mental Health

Many Peruvian people follow the cultural norm of only visiting the doctor when it’s an emergency. CMMB-supported community health workers help combat that belief, visiting women at home to encourage deliveries at health facilities and emphasizing the importance of regular prenatal care. During these personalized meetings, community health workers discuss mental health topics with both the pregnant woman and her family, strengthening her support system.

“CMMB has developed educational materials based on the problems observed, seeking to contribute to processes of self-esteem and empowerment of women to cope with difficulties at this stage of life,” shared Cecilia.

These materials help women understand the emotions and fears they may experience during pregnancy, how to create a secure attachment with their newborn, and how to spot the signs of postpartum depression.

As part of our overall care, we assess pregnant and postpartum women for anxiety and depression. When needed, we connect women with a psychologist who can offer additional mental health care support. We also create support groups for expectant and new mothers. Joined by community health workers and healthcare professionals, women gain a space to exchange ideas and experiences. As they build community, they also pick up tips about self-care and how to manage anxiety.

Expanding Healthcare Capacity

CMMB has trained 40 health workers to provide comprehensive pregnancy and postpartum care, including early detection of mental health issues. With our support, these vital health workers fill the gap in mental health care that exists in Trujillo and Huancayo. As they visit patients, CMMB-supported team members look for symptoms of anxiety and depression. They also stress the importance of taking iron supplements and eating nutritious foods during pregnancy.

CMMB also trains community health workers and mentors staff from Peru’s ministry of health, sharing our strategy and educational approach and aligning it to their maternal health strategies so they can expand mental health services to additional underserved populations.

Closing the Gap in Mental Health Care

CMMB’s programming has brought mental health services to more pregnant women, promoting better outcomes for growing families. “Pregnant women have increased their self-confidence and their ability to face this stage positively,” Cecilia said.

Our work continues. CMMB delivers comprehensive care services to over 2,000 pregnant women a year in Huancayo and Trujillo, helping improve the health of both mothers and their children. For new mothers and mothers-to-be, the care we provide sends an important message: they are not alone.