Mental Health Support for New Mothers

We are committed to addressing the problem of stunting in collaboration with the DG Murray Trust, the Perinatal Mental Health Project, Philani Nutrition, the Western Cape Dept. of Health, UNICEF, and the South African National Department of Health.

The Grow Great campaign is a national movement to end stunting in South Africa by 2030. The Grow Great educational series, created by the Stanford Center for Health Education in collaboration with the Grow Great team in South Africa, promotes impactful health behaviors among caregivers during the most critical development period in a child’s life: the fi­rst 1,000 days (conception – 2 years old).
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In this video Community Health Worker (CHW) Nomsa and a young mother discuss postnatal depression support and recovery. At the end of this video, you will be able to:

1) Destigmatize maternal distress – that this is normal and many women experience these feelings.
2) Role play how a CHW would ask the 3 screening questions in a home – showcasing the required empathy and sensitivity.
3) Role play how a CHW would respond appropriately to the outcome of the screening tool: visit regularly and referring
4) Employ strategies that would help a mother in distress and provide her with self-care techniques

A mother's postnatal distress can impact a child's development, and even contribute to stunting. Stunting prevents children all over the world from achieving their full potential. The impact of stunting reaches far beyond height – it impairs a child’s brain development, performance in school, and learning ability for the rest of their life – and it can begin even before a baby is born.
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At Digital Medic, we are advancing health education to improve lives worldwide. We are a part of the Stanford Center for Health Education, and represent the University’s commitment to improving health worldwide.