The Perinatal Mental Health Project (PMHP) at the Hanover Park Maternity Unit (Cape Town), provides crucial mental health services for pregnant and postnatal women in the area. The project offers mental health screenings, assessments, counselling, and postnatal follow-up assessments to women who register for antenatal care at the unit. Additionally, PMHP conducts research to generate knowledge about maternal mental health to inform health policies, guidelines, and programmes. They also focus on integrating maternal mental health into the health sector by strengthening systems and building capacity within maternal health services.
During our recent visit to PMHP, Linda Whitfield, Thuli Mashabane and Kristin Larsen, from the Harry Crossley Foundation, had a chance to sit with the PMPH team and gain valuable insights into their program. The visit highlighted the importance of mental health care for women facing multiple challenges, such as the lack of social support, financial difficulties, and stressful home environments. The services provided by PMHP allow mothers to seek help and cope with their everyday struggles by providing them with the necessary counselling and support to look after their overall well-being.
We are grateful for the opportunity to witness the impact of PMHP’s work and the importance of giving mothers and their new newborn babies the best possible support to thrive.
Thank you to Simone Honikman, Liesl and Tyler from PMHP for hosting us and sharing your wealth of first-hand knowledge with us.
