Our Story
What we do
MaternalMental.org was born out of a shared commitment to improve maternal mental health in the Southeast Asian region. In 2019, we established the Southeast Asia-UK partnership for improving perinatal mental health (SEAP-PMH), bringing together a diverse group of experts, including third-sector organizations, senior personnel from the Ministry of Health, and professionals from research and clinical practice. This collaboration aimed to address the critical gaps in maternal mental health care across Southeast Asia.
In 2020, our efforts were strengthened when we secured a grant from the Medical Research Council (MRC) in the UK, enabling us to further explore the challenges faced by women in the perinatal period. Our work continued to grow, and in March 2023, we gathered in Bali to disseminate our findings and discuss future projects and collaborations. Most recently, in February-March 2024, we met in Phuket to write a new proposal and apply for a large-scale grant from the NIHR, marking the next step in our mission.
Names of partners / organisations
- Prof. Margaret Maxwell – University of Stirling, United Kingdom
- Prof. Fiona Harris – University of West of Scotland, United Kingdom
- Prof. Helen Cheyne – University of Stirling, United Kingdom
- Dr. Andrea Sinesi – NMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, United Kingdom
- Dr. Piyanut Xuto – Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University
- Dr. Shanti Wardaningsih – Department of Mental Health Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Dr. Siti Roshaidai Mohd Arifin – Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia
- Prof. Dr. Ramli Musa – Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia
- Dr. Umi Adzlin Silim – Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Dr. Noor Azimah Muhammad – Department of Family Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Dr. Majdah Mohamed – Ministry of Health, Malaysia
- Dr. Fauziah Binti Abdullah – Health Department of Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur and Petra Jaya, Malaysia
- Heni Dwi Windarwati – University of Brawijaya, Indonesia
- Dr. Irmansyah – National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
- Prof. Patraporn Bhatarasakoon – The Thailand Center for Evidence-Based Health Care, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Map of region
MaternalMental.org serves as a platform to raise awareness, share knowledge, and foster a supportive community around maternal mental health in Southeast Asia. We aim to empower families, healthcare providers, and policymakers with the information they need to create lasting change.