Latina mothers deal with high rates of postpartum depression. This unusual CU program uses peer support to help them

In The NOCO

The effects of post-partum depression or anxiety can be debilitating. Research shows one in five mothers experience post-partum mental health challenges after childbirth.

And that number is even higher for Latina mothers living in the United States. Nearly half of them experience post-partum mental health issues.

But organizers of a unique research program based at the University of Colorado Boulder say they’ve successfully reduced postpartum depression for hundreds of mothers – with an emphasis on helping Latinas, including immigrants. They did it by providing peer support to new moms from women who’ve had similar struggles in the past. The program is called Alma, and it recently reached its 10th anniversary. Organizers plan to expand the program with an online version beginning this summer.

Professor Anahi Collado is a clinical psychologist who helps train mothers to become peers in the Alma program. She joined Erin O’Toole to talk about the program, and why its creators saw a need for something that helped immigrants and other Latina mothers.

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Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole
Producer: Ariel Lavery
Executive Producer: Brad Turner
Theme music by Robbie Reverb
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.