The Ministry of Health, through its Mental Health Directorate, organized a technical assistance session on Apr. 11 focused on implementing the health directive for mental health care among pregnant women and mothers with children under five years old. The event included 59 primary care professionals such as nurses, midwives, and other healthcare workers.
This initiative aims to strengthen the skills of healthcare staff in detecting, attending to, and intervening early in mental health issues affecting this population. The goal is to ensure comprehensive care from the first level of attention.
During the session, participants discussed topics including the impact of major mental health problems among pregnant and postpartum women, how to identify warning signs and risk factors, use of screening tools for early detection, and development of psychosocial interventions. Group work was also used to develop strategies for promoting mental health and prevention that can be applied at local healthcare facilities.
July Caballero Peralta, director of the Mental Health Directorate, said: “Es fundamental seguir impulsando acciones que permitan identificar de manera oportuna los problemas de salud mental en gestantes y madres, así como brindar una atención adecuada desde el primer nivel. Este trabajo es clave para proteger el bienestar de las madres y sus hijos.”
The workshop combined theoretical content with practical application of tools to improve services for users who screen positive for issues such as depression, violence against women or problematic substance use. It also aimed to help professionals implement suitable interventions within their scope and refer cases requiring more complex care appropriately.
Through these actions by its Mental Health Directorate, the Ministry seeks to reinforce healthcare services so that timely and quality mental health support is provided—especially among priority groups like pregnant women and mothers with young children.
