Second workshop with Bydelsmødre: seeking collective strategies
In April, we held our second workshop with over 15 women from the NGO Bydelsmødre.. This time, we explored what might be driving the differences in screening and access to mental health services among women with migrant backgrounds. A key theme that emerged was stigma and the fear of being judged as a “bad mother” or of having children taken away if they shared their struggles with health professionals.
Working in groups, we created a problem and solution tree that mapped out both the barriers and the strategies that could support women in sharing how they feel after giving birth with healthcare professionals. Together, we discussed ways to encourage asking for help, normalize a wide range of emotions and experiences, and challenge the harmful idea that feeling sad or different than expected makes someone a bad parent.
We also reflected on the potential role of digital self-help tools in supporting women’s mental health and explored how such interventions could be made more accessible and relevant.
We were joined by Sind Og Fødsel, a non-profit organization that supports parents experiencing perinatal mental health challenges. They shared their important work to raise awareness and build understanding around maternal mental health in Denmark.
In our next and final workshop, we’ll come together again to decide how best to take forward the co-developed strategies