Advancing Evidence to Practice for Maternal Mental health: Lessons Learned from the Africa Region
International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference May 10, 2023 | Cape Town, South Africa
On May 10, 2023, the Implementation Science Collaborative hosted a thematic symposium at the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa. Entitled “Advancing Evidence to Practice for Maternal Mental Health: Lessons Learned from the Africa Region,” this critical conversation built from the ISC’s MHPSS webinar series and presented evidence and emerging policy actions related to maternal mental health and psychosocial support interventions in the Sub-Saharan Africa context. The event featured a series of highlight videos showcasing three distinct maternal mental health interventions in the region. These videos provided valuable insights into the impact of the interventions, the challenges faced during implementation, and the strategies employed to address these challenges. The symposium also included a panel discussion, allowing experts to delve deeper into the lessons learned from the Africa region, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and experiences to advance evidence-based practices for maternal mental health.
Watch highlight videos of the maternal mental health interventions presented during the session:
Speakers and Panelists
Emily Peca, DrPH
Technical Director for Program Development and Implementation, University Research Co.
Dilys Walker, MD
Professor, University of California San Francisco Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Victoria Ngo, PhD
Director, Center for Innovation in Mental Health at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
Andrew Silumesii, MD
Manager, Family Health and Infectious Diseases, East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community
Molly Naisanga, MMed
Researcher, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences