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The George Institute for Global Health India, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and NIMHANS, convened a regional consultation on 11th September 2024 in Hyderabad, focusing on maternal mental health in rural Telangana. The consultation aimed to address the mental health challenges faced by pregnant women and new mothers in rural areas by creating integrated interventions that consider social determinants such as poverty, domestic violence, and gender inequality.
This event, held at Hotel Green Park, Hyderabad, was part of the Perinatal Mental Health (PRAMH) project led by The George Institute. Experts discussed the need for a framework that integrates social factors into mental health care during pregnancy and childbirth, ensuring more comprehensive support for women in rural Telangana. The consultation identified major challenges, including limited access to healthcare, cultural barriers, and a lack of awareness of mental health issues.
Representatives from NGOs, CBOs, and district health departments, including ASHAs and ANMs, participated in the discussion, highlighting the gaps in maternal mental health services in rural India. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), who often provide informal support, lack specialised training in perinatal mental health, further complicating the situation.
Speakers emphasised the importance of culturally sensitive, locally adaptable solutions to address the social and economic barriers that exacerbate mental health conditions in rural communities. Dr Vinod Bobjy, Medical Officer and Nodal Officer of NCDS in Siddipet, Telangana, underscored the need for preventive care, stating, “Identifying and providing preventive care is pivotal in promoting maternal health and ensuring optimal pregnancy outcomes. Mental health issues can lead to mental illness if untreated over the long run."
Dr Nicole Votruba, Honorary Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health (UK), added, “Women who are pregnant and postpartum are at an increased risk for mental health problems. They need the support of their families, communities, and the health system to stay healthy and well. When we support mothers, we can prevent mental health problems for them and their children."
The consultation brought together 20 representatives from women’s collectives and health departments across six districts of Telangana, including the tribal districts of Adilabad and Karimnagar, to share insights on improving social determinants of mental health.
Based on the discussions, The George Institute India, along with its partners, will develop a comprehensive framework tailored to the specific needs and cultural contexts of rural communities in Telangana. This framework integrates social determinants into maternal mental health interventions to promote sustainable, long-term impact.
