Birth Forward project
Mind the Mum
Placing perinatal mental health at the forefront.
Mind the Mum is an EU-funded project working to improve Perinatal Mental Health by strengthening understanding, building practical tools, and advancing systemic change for mothers during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
About the project
The Mind the Mum project focuses on improving Perinatal Mental Health by addressing two major gaps: understanding how the perinatal period is experienced, and developing tools that can better support mothers. It brings together academic expertise, professional knowledge, and grassroots experience from across Europe to create meaningful and lasting change.
The project combines research, alliance-building, pilot interventions, advocacy, and awareness raising. Its overall aim is not only to respond to maternal mental health challenges, but also to strengthen the systems, relationships, and public conversations that shape how support is made available.
Why it matters
The perinatal period can be vulnerable
Pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period can involve major emotional, social, and practical pressures, yet many women still face unmet needs, stigma, and limited access to specialised support.
Better support needs better evidence
Mind the Mum helps build a clearer picture of perinatal mental health needs and risk factors in Cyprus and Slovenia so that future responses are grounded in lived realities.
Systemic change is possible
By bringing together researchers, health professionals, decision-makers, and parent advocates, the project works toward practical tools, stronger policy, and more responsive systems of care.
Key objectives
01
Research & understanding
Conducting nationwide research in Cyprus and Slovenia to identify specific perinatal mental health needs, challenges, and risk factors.
02
Strengthening alliances
Building partnerships between health professionals, policy actors, and parent advocates to co-develop effective tools for prevention and management.
03
Piloting interventions
Testing and evaluating programmes that equip mothers with skills and resources to safeguard and strengthen their mental wellbeing.
04
Advocacy & policy
Promoting policy reform and professional training to address maternal mental health conditions, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and birth-related trauma.
05
Awareness & destigmatisation
Raising public awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging more open conversations around Perinatal Mental Health.
How the project works
Research and evidence generation
The project investigates lived experiences, social conditions, and risk factors affecting maternal mental health, helping build an evidence base for future action.
Empowerment and prevention
Pilot programmes are designed to give mothers practical skills, knowledge, and support strategies that can strengthen resilience and improve wellbeing.
Advocacy and public engagement
Through training, policy-oriented work, and awareness campaigns, Mind the Mum seeks to influence the wider systems that shape maternal mental health outcomes.
Consortium partners
Mind the Mum brings together universities, specialist organisations, and grassroots actors from Cyprus, Slovenia, Poland, and Spain. The consortium combines academic research, clinical insight, lived experience, and advocacy expertise.
Cyprus University of Technology
Cyprus
Birth Forward
Cyprus
Institut Umbilica
Slovenia
University of Gdańsk
Poland
Instituto Europeo de Salud Mental Perinatal
Spain
Birth Forward’s role
Within Mind the Mum, Birth Forward contributes its grassroots, advocacy, and public engagement expertise. This includes helping connect project work with the realities mothers face, supporting alliance-building across sectors, and strengthening awareness and advocacy activity around perinatal mental health.
This role reflects Birth Forward’s broader commitment to dignity, informed support, and systemic improvement across the maternity and postpartum journey in Cyprus.
Partners and funding
Project consortium and EU funding
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