By 2030, depression will be the leading global disease burden. Postnatal depression due to childbirth/parenting leads to long-term negative consequences for mothers, their children and their families. The British African/Caribbean communities are worse hit by the unprecedented impact of post-Covid-19-syndromes, leading to an exponential increase in postnatal depression. Yet, the uptake of mental healthcare by British mothers of African and Caribbean origin is low due to limited access to culturally appropriate care. Theories of attachment and cognitivism were innovatively integrated to examine Learning-Through-Play plus (LTP+) intervention for postnatal depression using a pilot randomised controlled trial. The proposed LTP+ is co-developed and ecologically friendly because it is manualised and can be delivered by non-mental health specialists such as trained community health workers who are more culturally knowledgeable. Findings will be disseminated through academic publications/presentations, policy briefs, original animated videos and podcast series laying the foundations for a psychosocial approach to tackling postnatal depression
experiencing emotional distress due to childbirth or parenting and scored 5 or above on the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9)
who have children age 0-3 years
residents of designated communities and available for follow-up
are 18 years and above
with a medical condition that would prevent their participation such as active suicidal ideation, tuberculosis, or heart failure
temporary residents are unlikely to be available for follow up
who are less than 18 years
unable to provide consent.