Session 1- Orientation and Maternal Depression
SMART goals: By the end of the session, the group will be able to share three new pieces of knowledge that they obtained during the session.
Objective 3: The group members will learn about maternal depression.
Agenda: 50 minutes with a 10-minute break
Group introductions~ 8 minutes
Orientation~ 2 minutes
Discuss and sign the confidentiality contract~ 20 minutes
Discuss the goals and expectations of the group~ 10 minutes
Introduce maternal depression~ 8 minutes
Sticky note activity~2 minutes
Lesson Plan
Group introductions:
Have participants and facilitators share their names and a fun fact about themselves (if the participants have children attending, have them introduce their child).
Orientation:
State the purpose of the group: The purpose of this intervention is to provide short-term evidence-based psychotherapeutic services within a group setting for Women in Ghana who are experiencing maternal depression
Discuss and sign the confidentiality contract :
Facilitators will read out loud the confidentiality contract and ask if participants have questions or concerns. Have the group members sign the contract and give it back to facilitators when done to give to Bridge to Africa.
Discuss the goals and expectations of the group:
Introduce both SMART goals- 1. By the end of the sessions, the group will be able to identify three new coping skills to utilize to alleviate maternal depression symptoms (objective 1. Introduce multiple coping skills with roleplays. Objective 2. Hold group discussions throughout the session about how group members plan to use coping skills outside the group) 2. By the end of the sessions, the group will be able to share three new pieces of knowledge that they obtained during the session (objective 1: Share out at the end of the session in an activity. Objective 2: Provide an infographic. Objective 3: The group members will learn about maternal depression)
Provide an opportunity for the group to share feedback or questions about the SMART goals.
Ask members about their personal goals and expectations for the group.
Review group norms sheet (see the attached document in supplemental materials)
Introduce content: Psychoeducational material about maternal depression:
Share general introductory information as written:
Introduce content: Psychoeducational material about maternal depression
Maternal depression is experienced by mothers as they experience depressive symptoms that occur during pregnancy and/or during the year postpartum. Some symptoms of maternal depression include feeling sad or empty, hopeless, guilty, or having difficulty sleeping for long periods of time (CDC, 2022).
Nearly 20% of women are facing postpartum depression worldwide (Weobong, et al., 2015). More recent surveys from the CDC indicate that 1 in 8 mothers experience symptoms of maternal depression (CDC, 2022).
Many individuals experiencing maternal depression do not seek help because of shame and fear of stigmatization. This group was created for the purpose of providing women and mothers with information and skills that are helpful for coping with maternal depression.
We will talk about the experience of maternal depression and coping strategies that are useful to those experiencing symptoms. Some of the specific topics that we will address are your relationships with your babies, your communication and problem-solving skills, and how these areas in the lives of mothers can influence their experience with maternal depression.
End of session activity:
Each participant should write questions about maternal depression on a sticky note and place them in the designated bucket/bowl/hat. These questions will be answered during the last session during group activity (see session 8).
Materials and resources:
Sticky notepad, writing utensils, bucket/hat/bowl, printed confidentiality contract, group norm printed document.
References:
Steardo, L., Jr, Caivano, V., Sampogna, G., Di Cerbo, A., Fico, G., Zinno, F., Del Vecchio, V., Giallonardo, V., Torella, M., Luciano, M., & Fiorillo, A. (2019). Psychoeducational Intervention for Perinatal Depression: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 55. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00055
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 29). Depression during and after pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/features/maternal-depression/index.html