UPDATE: Maternal Mental Health Expansion in Sierra Leone
The local nurses who worked for years in the child malnutrition clinics noticed that the mothers bringing severely malnourished children to the clinic were often depressed. They understood that when mothers suffer from depression, their children also suffer. Our Maternal Mental Health program was born from their observation and desire to take a holistic approach to supporting healthy children, families, and communities.
In 2022, in partnership with Project Peanut Butter, we developed a picture-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program tailored to the culture and low literacy rate. Since then, the program has shown great results and has expanded from a small pilot program in one district to being globally recognized for its effectiveness and expanding to 10 districts across the country.
We’re so grateful for the wisdom of the caring nurses who sparked this idea and for the generous donors who helped to turn the idea into a national program that is changing the lives of women, children, families, and communities.
Update as of September 2026:
Counseling expanded to 10 districts
50 active counselors supporting the program
19,994 women screened
3,122 women enrolled
10,024 CBT sessions completed
Healthy mothers help build healthier futures!
