On 18 February 2026, the partner organisation Birth Forward hosted a webinar in Cyprus as part of the project MOMental – Cross-Border Collaboration for Maternal Mental Health in Crisis Settings, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss maternal mental health during periods of crisis.
The session opened with a presentation by Chris Mavrou, Advocacy and Fundamental Rights Coordinator at Birth Forward, who introduced the MOMental project, its goals, and its planned activities. The project aims to strengthen collaboration between organisations and professionals working with mothers, while developing practical tools and educational models that support maternal mental health in crisis settings.
The webinar created space for dialogue between participants from different sectors, highlighting the need for stronger cooperation, preparedness, and accessible support systems for pregnant women and mothers during times of instability.
During the discussion, participants raised important questions related to policy, service provision, and professional practice. They explored where current gaps exist, how support systems can respond more effectively to the needs of pregnant women during crisis situations, and how collaboration between institutions and countries can be strengthened.
Participants were also invited to contribute to the project’s stakeholder mapping survey, which will help identify needs and inform the development of training materials and tools within the MOMental project.
The webinar concluded with a shared understanding that maternal mental health in crisis settings must receive greater attention, and that coordinated, rights-based and evidence-informed approaches are essential for supporting mothers and families during emergencies.
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
