Emotional distress in the perinatal period is a growing phenomenon. A 2021 study estimated that approximately 20% of Italian pregnant or postpartum women suffer from perinatal depression, often accompanied by anxiety. Conditions that compromise not only the health of mothers, but also that of children, with long-term effects.
Despite the relevance of the problem, psychological public services are fragmented and uneven across the territory. It is therefore a priority to intercept signs of vulnerability early, especially in unsought or problematic pregnancies, and to offer accessible and integrated prevention and treatment paths.
What the project involves
The project represents the adaptation of an already tested and validated model, combining psychological support, home visits and awareness-raising activities.
In this new edition it is expanded and updated with:
- early screening to detect women and couples at risk;
- personalized psychological support and home visiting paths;
- multidisciplinary training for health professionals, aimed at strengthening the integration of midwifery and mental health;
- creation of a stable and collaborative territorial network.
The project is founded on the principles of global health, multidisciplinarity, innovation and sustainability, promoting parental autonomy and raising awareness on the issue of perinatal emotional well-being.
The beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of the project are represented by one hundred women and couples who will be involved in the screenings, eighty couples who will take part in psychological and home support courses, and one hundred healthcare workers who will participate in multidisciplinary training activities.
The indirect beneficiaries, estimated at over nine hundred people, include newborns, family members and the local community who will be able to benefit from the strengthening of the network of trained operators and the awareness-raising actions envisaged by the project.
Project name: Nascite: Prevenzione, diagnosi e cura del disagio emotivo perinatale.
Proposing organisation: A.R.P. Associazione per la Ricerca in Psicologia Clinica - ETS
Area of intervention: Health & Welfare
Country: Italy