MOMental Training of Trainers in Zagreb: Supporting Maternal Mental Health in Crisis Settings
MOMental Training of Trainers in Zagreb: Supporting Maternal Mental Health in Crisis Settings
From 20 to 22 October 2026, Roda hosted a three-day international Training of Trainers in Zagreb as part of the Erasmus+ MOMental project. The training brought together participants from Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus and Ukraine who work to support pregnant women, mothers and families.
How can we support pregnant women and mothers in crisis situations? How can we recognise signs of mental health difficulties, know when specialist help is needed, and share this knowledge with colleagues? These were some of the main questions explored during three days of learning and practical work.
From Psychological First Aid to Practical Simulations
The programme covered perinatal mental health in crisis settings, Psychological First Aid, recognising warning signs and referral pathways. We also explored communication that respects women's dignity, rights and individual needs, breastfeeding and infant feeding support in emergencies, and self-care for those providing support.
An important part of the training was dedicated to practical exercises and simulations involving actors. Participants had the opportunity to practise conversations and providing support in challenging situations, followed by group discussions on different approaches, difficulties and possible responses.
Sharing experiences among participants from four countries was also an important part of the programme. Although crisis situations and support systems differ, many of the challenges faced by pregnant women, mothers and those supporting them are very similar.
How Will the Knowledge Be Shared Further?
The final day focused on planning future training activities. Participants developed their own training plans, adapted to the needs of their organisations and professional communities, using the content, examples and methods explored during the training.
The training marks an important step in developing the MOMental educational programme. The next phase of the project will include national pilot trainings and the integration of the developed content into existing professional education programmes.
The aim is to make the knowledge and practical tools developed through MOMental available to more people working with pregnant women and mothers, helping them provide appropriate support even in challenging crisis situations.
About the MOMental Project
MOMental – Cross-Border Collaboration for Maternal Mental Health in Crisis Settings is an international Erasmus+ project coordinated by Roda – Parents in Action (Croatia). The project is implemented in partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ) in Czechia, Birth Forward in Cyprus and the Ukrainian Midwives' Union in Ukraine. UNICEF Croatia participates as an associated partner.
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme and supported by the Croatian Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU).
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
