Mental health champions in Vihiga county are intensifying advocacy efforts to ensure mothers receive psychosocial support as part of routine maternal healthcare.
Mental health advocates, healthcare workers, county officials and hundreds of mothers gathered on Monday at Shamakhokho Secondary School for a maternal wellness event focused on awareness, screening and community engagement.
The event, organised by Thalia Psychotherapy, through its maternal wellbeing initiative, Maisha Mothers, used creative approaches — including a baby crawling race — to draw attention to the often overlooked but critical issue of maternal mental health.
Advocates said maternal mental health challenges, ranging from anxiety and depression to trauma following miscarriage or stillbirth, often remain hidden due to stigma and lack of routine screening.
“When a mother’s mind breaks, everything else breaks within the family, the child and even the local economy,” Thalia Psychotherapy head of special projects Ruth Amuko said.
“For too long, women have suffered in silence. Maisha Mothers was created to be a bridge from grief to healing and from silence to support.”
According to World Health Organization data, one in five mothers in Kenya experiences some form of postpartum mental distress, yet many cases go undiagnosed and untreated.
Mental health champions in Vihiga are now pushing for a shift in maternal healthcare delivery by integrating routine mental health screening into antenatal and postnatal services.
Through the Maisha Mothers programme, mothers attending clinics are screened for signs of emotional distress, enrolled in follow-up SMS check-ins and referred to professional therapists when necessary.
“The goal is early detection and support, not waiting until a crisis occurs. When mothers feel emotionally supported, they are more likely to attend clinics, follow medical advice and care better for their children,” Amuko said.
For the more than 100 mothers who attended the Shamakhokho event, the impact was deeply personal.
Participants received mental health screenings alongside family planning services, referrals for specialised care and access to affordable essential household items through a bulk-buying initiative.
Eunice Minandia, who brought her seven-month-old baby to participate in the crawling race, said the event helped ease the daily stress many mothers experience.
“This event helped me relax and connect with other mothers. It reminded me that my mental health matters too. This is the first time anyone has asked me how I am feeling inside, not just about my baby,” she said.
Mental counsellor Aglay Ambio said the county’s approach goes beyond awareness by linking emotional care with practical support, resulting in improved clinic attendance and greater openness among mothers.
“We are seeing women speak up about grief and stress in ways they never did before,” Ambio said.
Advocates are now calling for sustained funding and stronger policy support to scale up maternal mental health programmes across Vihiga county.
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