Maternal Depression? Making a Difference Through Community Action: A Planning Guide

Mental Health America developed this action guide for communities (and other organisations like them) to address the issue of maternal depression.

The guide aims to:

• build awareness and acceptance of the need for a family-focused, community-driven approach
• strengthen the capacity of communities to mobilise around a significant public health issue
• promote the use of state, local and even neighborhood partners
• spur strategic thinking that leads to effective community action and change.

The guide offers community organisations and other stakeholder groups an easy-to-use, practical framework to create a well-thought-out plan of action that is customised to their own communities. It provides:

• an in-depth look at the issue of maternal depression
• examples of outreach programs and practices
• an easy-to-follow roadmap for action
• tools and resources to use in all stages of the planning process.