Mental health interventions for adolescent mothers

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with higher risks of mental health challenges, and adolescent mothers often face social stigma, economic instability and limited access to healthcare services. This systematic literature review identified key risk factors for adolescent mothers’ poor mental health and barriers to accessing mental health services. It also identified characteristics of effective interventions to support adolescent mothers, highlighting the importance of multifaceted, culturally responsive and accessible mental health interventions.

Why is this important?

• Adolescent pregnancy is associated with higher risks of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety and stress.
• Adolescent mothers often face challenges such as social stigma, economic instability and limited access to healthcare services, contributing to their stress and potential mental health difficulties.
• When adolescent mothers experience mental ill-health, this can affect their parenting, parent–child relationships and the wellbeing of children and the family unit.

What did they do?

• The authors conducted a systematic literature review to examine the effectiveness and accessibility of mental health interventions for adolescent mothers (aged 13–19 years) with experience of mental health challenges. Intervention types included psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, peer support programs, digital interventions and community-based care.
• Data was analysed from 12 studies to identify key characteristics relating to the accessibility and effectiveness of interventions.
• Studies were carried out in the US, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Brazil, South Africa and Rwanda and used a mix of study designs including qualitative studies, cross-sectional studies, longitudinal studies, mixed-methods studies and intervention evaluations.

What did they find?

• Key risk factors for adolescent mothers’ poor mental health include domestic and family violence, economic instability, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and lack of family support.
• Adolescent mothers face significant barriers in accessing mental health services including stigma, limited awareness of what services are available, confidentiality concerns and inadequate parental and social supports.
• Interventions with evidence for effectiveness in improving emotional wellbeing and reducing depressive symptoms in adolescent mothers included peer support, self-help groups, school-based self-efficacy programs, cognitive behavioural therapy and group interpersonal therapy.

What does this mean for practice?

• Services for adolescent mothers who are struggling with mental health should be trauma-informed and culturally responsive.
• Programs should take a holistic approach by combining mental health care with peer support, social support, parenting support, community connections and practical assistance. This can enhance adolescent mothers’ social connectedness and coping skills.
• Service providers should consider offering flexible and digital interventions, which can improve access to support and reduce the social stigma that many young mothers reported experiencing.

This summary is one of the child mental health research highlights for August 2026, prepared by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).