This project will provide low-cost, community-based, person-centred mental health interventions to 480 adolescent and young mothers from 16 rural villages in Kilifi, Kenya. These mothers are predisposed to mental health problems as they must adjust to the demands of parenting coupled with economic and social disadvantages. These experiences predispose them to poor functioning, increasing the risk of poor development in their children.
One in every four women in Low-Middle Income Countries like Kenya experiences maternal mental health problems. The situation is worse for adolescent and young-adult mothers who too early must adjust to the demands of parenting coupled with economic and social disadvantages. These experiences affect their functioning and increase the risk of poor development in their children. With a severe lack of adequate services in Kenya, the provision of low-cost mental health intervention is needed.
The Self-Help Plus (SH+) is a low-cost, non-specialist, group-based multimedia-guided stress management intervention. The mothers are trained to build awareness and grounding during stressful moments; notice and name difficult thoughts; identify and act on values; build compassion and kindness and accept and live with difficult thoughts. Thus they can take proactive steps that encourage positive feelings and be responsive and sensitive caregivers.
The project will provide mental health services to 480 young mothers and increase their knowledge of problem-solving, stress management, and mental health awareness. Additionally, they will have reduced symptoms of psychological distress and common mental health disorders, which will increase their quality of life and better able to provide sensitive caregiving. Moreover, mentally healthy mothers are likely to be productive in economic activities and raise their financial status.
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