PMHP

The PMHP addresses the need for integrated mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women.

The Perinatal Mental Health Project (PMHP) addresses the need for integrated mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women and girls in South Africa. We provide mental health services for pregnant and postnatal women, train those who work with mothers to improve the quality of their care, form partnerships to promote the scale up of services and inform global interventions through robust re

search and advocacy. Through our teaching and training programme, research and advocacy components, our reach is national, with partnerships extending to other low-income countries. Formally recognised by the World Health Organization, the PMHP is the only project of its kind in South Africa, and one of a handful in the developing world.

24/08/2026

Trauma does not only affect the person who experienced it. The support of family, friends and others they trust can also play an important role in recovery.

As part of our Women and Trauma series in collaboration with Masiviwe, this post looks at how we can support someone who is living with the effects of trauma.

Support can begin with listening without judgement, believing what someone shares, respecting their choices, and allowing them to move at their own pace.

In this post, we share practical ways to offer support with care and compassion, what to avoid, when additional help may be needed, and where to access support in South Africa.

You do not need to have all the answers. Being present, listening, and helping someone feel supported can make a meaningful difference.

Please save or share this post so that the information is available if you or someone you know may need it.

21/08/2026

We’re pleased to share that PMHP’s Simone Honikman will be presenting at the upcoming Prioritising Maternal Mental Health webinar, hosted by the safmh_south_africa as part of its Awareness in Action series.

🗓 1 September 2026
⏰ 12:00–13:00
💻 Online via Zoom

The webinar will bring attention to the importance of prioritising maternal mental health and creating stronger awareness and support for the mental wellbeing of mothers.

We look forward to being part of this important conversation.

🔗 Registration link in story and bio

20/08/2026

This Women’s Month, PMHP Clinical Services Coordinator Liesl Hermanus joined the Lions Club of Tokai’s Women’s Day gathering as guest speaker.

In her keynote, Liesl spoke about the deep connection between gender-based violence and mental health, and why recognising this relationship matters when we think about the wellbeing and support of women who have experienced violence.

Conversations like these help create greater awareness of the many ways violence can affect women’s lives, while keeping mental health and emotional wellbeing firmly part of the conversation.

Thank you to the Lions Club of Tokai for creating space for an important discussion and for bringing women together in celebration, connection and community.

18/08/2026

Traumatic experiences can continue to affect us long after the event itself has passed.

In the latest post in our Women and Trauma series, developed in collaboration with Masiviwe, we share practical, trauma-informed guidance for people who may still be experiencing the effects of a traumatic experience from some time ago.

The resource explores some of the ways these effects may appear, gentle steps that may support wellbeing, and signs that additional support could be helpful.
It is never too late to seek support.

We encourage you to save and share these resources with your networks.

12/08/2026

We continue our Women’s month series, developed in collaboration with Masiviwe , sharing practical, trauma-informed guidance for moments when a traumatic experience or its effects feel overwhelming.

Simple steps such as moving somewhere safer, contacting someone you trust, grounding yourself in your surroundings, and seeking medical help when needed can make a difference.

This carousel also shares information on when to seek further support and where to access help in South Africa.

There is no single “right” way to respond to trauma. Recovery can begin with small, supportive steps — and no one should have to manage the effects of trauma alone.

Please save or share these resources with someone who may need them.

06/08/2026

How do we move maternal mental health care beyond pilot projects, and make sure support reaches more mothers, in more places, for longer?

A new scoping review co-authored by PMHP Director Assoc Prof Simone Honikman explores strategies for spreading, scaling and sustaining perinatal mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries.

The review highlights that scaling maternal mental health support requires more than a strong intervention. It takes integration into routine care, supported health workers, adaptation to local contexts, practical tools, supervision, stakeholder engagement and long-term investment.

At PMHP, this speaks directly to our work: building evidence-informed, integrated and sustainable approaches to maternal mental health care.
Maternal mental health is not an add-on.
It is essential care.

Article link in story and bio

04/08/2026

This August, we are focusing on women’s mental health in collaboration with Masiviwe

Throughout the month, we will explore different aspects of women’s mental health, with a special focus on understanding trauma, its impact, and the importance of healing.

We begin by looking at why our trauma experiences matter. Understanding how trauma affects our lives is an important step towards healing, self-compassion and seeking the support we deserve.

Follow along each week as we unpack this important conversation.

23/07/2026

On Mandela Day, PMHP Mental Health Counsellor Tyla Prinsloo supported the R**e Crisis Cape Town Trust Justice Pack Drive.

At the Justice Pack Drive, volunteers congregated to assemble packs containing essential hygiene and comfort items for survivors of sexual violence. Each pack also included a personal message, inviting volunteers to reflect on what the gesture may mean for the survivor who receives it.
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At PMHP, we recognise that mental health and recovery are shaped by whether people are treated with dignity, compassion and care - particularly during moments of trauma and vulnerability. Initiatives such as the Justice Pack Drive demonstrate how practical support and human connection can work together to help survivors feel acknowledged and supported.

We are proud of Tyla for representing PMHP and contributing her time to the important work of R**e Crisis Cape Town Trust.

**eCrisisCapeTownTrust MentalHealth TraumaInformedCare

03/07/2026

Maternal and newborn health is about more than survival - it is about dignity, compassion, wellbeing and support.

In our latest blog post, PMHP Mental Health Counsellor, Tyla Prinsloo, reflects on the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference 2026 in Nairobi, where global and African leaders, researchers, clinicians, advocates and parents came together to strengthen action for healthier births and healthier starts.

At the conference, Tyla also facilitated a round table discussion, contributing PMHP’s experience and perspective on integrating perinatal mental health into maternal and newborn care.

A key message from the conference was clear: perinatal mental health must be recognised as an essential part of maternal and newborn care. Supporting women, babies and families also means supporting the healthcare providers who care for them - especially in under-resourced and high-pressure health systems.

At PMHP, we remain committed to advancing respectful, integrated and compassionate care for mothers and babies, through service delivery, training, research and advocacy.

Read the full reflection via the link in our bio and story

26/06/2026

PMHP contributes to a wider network of mother and child organisations by supporting the integration of mental health initiatives within their routine practice.

DGMT’s Hands-on Learning Issue 31, ‘How our unsung heroes can reduce stunting’ reminds us of the important role community health workers and mentor mothers play in supporting mothers, babies and young children during the first 1 000 days. Maternal mental health is deeply connected to this work.

At PMHP, we embed maternal mental health services within maternal and child health systems - through service delivery, training, advocacy, research and partnerships.
Our contribution is to help ensure that mothers’ emotional and psychological well-being is addressed as part of child health, nutrition, responsive caregiving and early childhood development.

When mothers are supported, they are better able to bond with their babies, seek help when needed, respond to their children’s cues, and access care for themselves and their families.

Maternal mental health is not an add-on. It is part of the foundation.

Read DGMT’s Hands-on Learning Issue 31 by clicking the link in our story or bio.

CommunityHealthWorkers

Address

University Of Cape Town
Nairobi
7700

Website

http://www.pmhp.za.org/

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