๐ฉโโ๏ธ Team โ Rashmi (leader), SK Esha, Arpita Panchal, Kashish Tuteja, Kanupriya Verma, Anushka Saraswat, Aakansha Kaushik, Smriti Mishra, Shruti Sinha, Shreeya Srivastava, Navya Suresh
๐ Organised on โ 4th August 2025
๐ Organised by โ Students of Symbiosis Medical College for Women, Pune (SMCW)
๐ธ Introduction
๐ Because Motherhood Needs CareโBeyond the Cradle.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant yet often overlooked mental health condition affecting women during and after pregnancy. Symptoms range from persistent sadness, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion to difficulty bonding with the babyโimpacting both maternal and child well-being.
Beyond the Cradle was conceptualized to enhance awareness and promote early addressing of postpartum depression by engaging pregnant women, new mothers, and their families. The initiative emphasized that timely recognition, emotional support, and medical consultation can significantly improve outcomes for both mother and child.
๐ก The Need for Beyond the Cradle
- Women experiencing postpartum depression often face:
- Low awareness and poor recognition of symptoms
- Social stigma surrounding mental health and motherhood
- Delayed help-seeking due to fear, myths, or family pressure
- In low- and middle-income settings, these challenges are further compounded by limited access to mental health resources. Awareness and early intervention are therefore crucial to improving maternal and child health outcomes.
๐ฏ Objectives
โ To increase awareness and understanding of postpartum depression among pregnant women (2nd and 3rd trimester), new mothers, and families
โ To equip families to recognize early signs and symptoms of PPD
โ To reduce stigma and encourage timely help-seeking
โ To strengthen emotional and social support systems for affected mothers
๐ง Planning Phase
- Theme Selected: Early Awareness and Support for Postpartum Mental Health
- Given that the team consisted of 11 members working on three projects, the group was divided to ensure smooth workflow and avoid duplication of efforts.
- After allotment of members for this project, responsibilities were distributed systematically for efficient planning and execution.
- With guidance from mentors and faculty, the date, venue, and mode of implementation were finalized.
Key Steps in the Planning Process :
- Baseline assessment and participant orientation
- Educational intervention design
- Family engagement and support-building strategies
- Post-intervention assessment and feedback collection
๐ง Execution Phase
๐ Location: Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC)
๐ Date: 4th August 2025
Activities Conducted:
- Active engagement with pregnant women and new mothers attending the UHTC
- Screening of a skit-based video depicting a coupleโs successful journey in overcoming postpartum depression through medical consultation and regular follow-up
- Display and explanation of an informative poster detailing PPD, its symptoms, causes, and available help
- Interactive discussions to assess understanding and clarify doubts
- Encouraging open conversations by inviting mothers to share thoughts, feelings, and key takeaways after the session
๐ Impact & Measurable Outcomes
๐ Social & Health Impact
- Improved knowledge and understanding of postpartum depression among mothers and families
- Increased family involvement in early recognition and emotional support
- Reduced stigma and greater willingness to seek professional help
- Collection of data and feedback to inform future maternal mental health initiatives
๐ Challenges Faced
- Persistent stigma around mental health and expectations of motherhood
- Cultural beliefs, family attitudes, and myths discouraging emotional expression
- Language barriers and lack of culturally competent mental health care
- Social isolation and limited spousal or peer support reducing engagement
- Despite these challenges, empathetic communication and visual storytelling enabled meaningful participation.
๐ฎ Future Scope & Long-Term Vision
With guidance from mentors and faculty, the project is planned to be sustained and implemented at an institutional level.
Long-Term Vision Includes:
- Strengthening community outreach
- Standardizing project frameworks
- Fostering interdepartmental and institutional collaboration
- Capacity building among healthcare workers and families
- Leveraging digital platforms for awareness and engagement
๐ Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere gratitude to:
- Dr. Sumita Maโam and Priti Shah Maโam for providing the opportunity to implement this project
- Our student mentor Sristi Garg for her guidance
- Our guide Dr. Sphurti Chate for her constant support
- All team members for their cooperation, dedication, and teamwork, which made this initiative successful
๐ Conclusion
Beyond the Cradle proved to be an effective medium for sensitizing pregnant women, new mothers, and families about postpartum depression. By combining visual storytelling, informative materials, and interactive discussions, the initiative created a safe and engaging learning environment.
The project not only increased awareness but also empowered participants to recognize symptoms, seek timely help, and provide emotional supportโdemonstrating the strong potential of awareness-based interventions to reduce stigma and improve maternal mental well-being in the community.
