“Reactor – Research in Action” is launching a comprehensive initiative to address postpartum depression and anxiety, which affect more than one in four new mothers in North Macedonia.
The project combines three interconnected elements: 1) an in-depth contextual analysis of postpartum mental healthcare in the country, covering prevalence, risk factors, policies, costs, and a feminist perspective that frames maternal mental health as a gendered issue; 2) the establishment of group-based psychological support for mothers in partnership with “Psiholarium – Association of Psychologists and Psychotherapists”, making care more accessible at the community level; and 3) advocacy efforts that build on the findings from both the research and the support groups to strengthen policies and drive systemic change. Together, these efforts aim to position postpartum mental health as a core aspect of women’s rights and well-being.