Mental health issues related to pregnancy and the postpartum period are becoming increasingly common. In Sweden, approximately 15% of new mothers report experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress during pregnancy, and 86% report having felt some form of anxiety. Women who suffer from perinatal depression are also at increased risk of suicide. Strengthening the healthcare system’s capacity to support and care for women and families affected by mental health problems is therefore of critical importance.

This project approaches pregnancy and parenthood as existential life events that evoke existential questions about meaning, identity, and belonging. While this period is often experienced as meaningful and health-promoting, it can also be marked by loss of meaning and suffering, potentially leading to mental health challenges. An existential understanding of mental health before, during, and after pregnancy highlights individuals’ lived experiences as essential for understanding what it means to live with mental distress, how recovery and well-being can be supported, and how caring practices can be meaningfully shaped.

The project aligns with current public health policy initiatives that emphasize existential health, including meaning-making, belonging, and community as key areas of focus. Particular attention is given to mental health, suicide prevention, and the growing role of civil society in these efforts. 

The project is internatlly funded.