Birth Forward project
MOMental
Strengthening maternal mental health support in crisis settings.
MOMental is a cross-border collaboration that equips mothers, caregivers, healthcare professionals, peer educators, and NGOs with practical, evidence-based tools to support maternal mental health during pregnancy and early motherhood in difficult circumstances.
About the project
MOMental – Cross-Border Collaboration for Maternal Mental Health in Crisis Settings works to improve the support available to women navigating pregnancy and early motherhood during instability, displacement, emergencies, and other difficult circumstances.
The project combines international collaboration, professional training, peer education, practical guidance, and accessible digital learning. Its aim is to strengthen the confidence and capacity of caregivers while giving mothers reliable resources they can use whenever and wherever support is needed.
Why it matters
Crisis settings increase vulnerability
Conflict, displacement, uncertainty, and disrupted services can place additional emotional and practical pressure on women during pregnancy and early motherhood.
Caregivers need practical guidance
Peer educators, healthcare professionals, and NGOs need clear, research-based tools that help them recognise challenges, respond appropriately, and provide compassionate care.
Support must remain accessible
Multilingual digital resources can make reliable information and learning available across borders, helping mothers and professionals access support at any time.
Key objectives
01
Develop evidence-based guidance
Create a structured learning guide that translates research and professional knowledge into clear, practical guidance for maternal mental health support in crisis settings.
02
Train caregivers and peer educators
Build a comprehensive training programme for healthcare professionals, NGOs, and peer-to-peer educators so they can respond to maternal mental health needs with greater confidence.
03
Empower mothers with accessible resources
Provide women with trustworthy, understandable, and practical resources that support informed decisions, resilience, and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and early motherhood.
04
Create an interactive Learning Hub
Develop a multilingual digital hub featuring webinars, e-learning courses, self-assessment tools, and learning resources for mothers, caregivers, and professionals.
05
Build sustainable cross-border solutions
Unite organisations across four countries to exchange expertise, strengthen practice, and create resources that can deliver long-term impact across different crisis contexts.
What the project will create
Structured learning guide
A practical, evidence-based guide designed to help caregivers and organisations understand and address maternal mental health challenges in crisis settings.
Caregiver training programme
A comprehensive programme that equips peer educators, healthcare professionals, and NGOs with knowledge, tools, and approaches for stronger maternal mental health support.
Multilingual Learning Hub
An interactive digital platform offering webinars, e-learning courses, self-assessment tools, and accessible learning resources for mothers and professionals.
Consortium partners
MOMental brings together maternal health, mental health, education, advocacy, and community expertise from Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, and Ukraine. UNICEF Croatia contributes to the collaboration as an associated partner.
Roditelji u Akciji (RODA)
Croatia · Project coordinator
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Czechia · Project partner
Birth Forward
Cyprus · Project partner
NGO Ukrainian Midwives’ Union
Ukraine · Project partner
UNICEF Croatia
Croatia · Associated partner
Birth Forward’s role
As the project partner in Cyprus, Birth Forward contributes its community-based experience in maternity, maternal wellbeing, parent engagement, advocacy, and public communication. This helps connect the project’s learning and resources with the realities faced by mothers and caregivers.
Birth Forward also supports cross-border learning, accessible communication, dissemination, and the development of practical resources that can strengthen maternal mental health support beyond the project period.
Partners and funding
Project consortium and EU funding
Stay connected