TLP Receives Funding from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) to Strengthen Maternal Mental Health in Kenya
We’re proud to announce new funding from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) for The Leo Project’s Perinatal Mental Health and Newborn Thriving Program, an initiative designed to improve mental health care for mothers and newborns across Laikipia County, Kenya.
At The Leo Project’s Caitlin O’Hara Community Health Clinic, more than half of pregnant women screened to date have been identified as high risk for perinatal depression. Untreated perinatal depression can affect bonding and infant development, shaping the health of families for generations.
Our new program takes a holistic, community-driven approach:
Screening and early intervention: All mothers will be screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with follow-up care provided by our medical psychologists and maternal health nurses.
Group care and support: Mothers and fathers will participate in group sessions focused on mental health, nutrition, trauma, and baby bonding, creating safe spaces to learn and share.
Training local caregivers: Traditional Birth Companions and Community Health Promoters will be trained to recognize and respond to perinatal depression, bridging traditional and formal care systems.
Father and baby bonding: Dedicated workshops will strengthen paternal engagement and promote healthy early attachment.
Data and learning: Upgrades to our electronic medical record system will ensure accurate, real-time tracking of maternal mental health trends.
“This program allows us to meet mothers and fathers where they are, supporting mental health as an essential component of maternal and newborn care,” says Jess Danforth, Founder and Executive Director of The Leo Project. “The support from SNF makes it possible to create lasting change for families across Laikipia, something that fuels our work here at TLP.”
Led by a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, nurses, and community liaisons, this program addresses one of Kenya’s most urgent and overlooked health challenges, ensuring that every woman and child has access to compassionate, quality care.
We are deeply grateful to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for its belief in this work and partnership in advancing maternal mental health and newborn thriving.