Recent from the Crown Institute’s Alma program highlight promising advances in addressing perinatal depression and anxiety among Latina mothers.  

In a multi-site open trial involving 126 participants, Alma demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and perceived stress – offering rapid relief during a critical life stage. Notably, many participants experienced "sudden gains" within the first two sessions, reporting noteworthy reductions in distress.  

“This is about giving mothers tools that work right away and empowering them to take an active role in their mental health,” said Anahi Collado, PhD, Assistant Research Professor at the Crown Institute and Principal Investigator for the Alma program. “The early gains we’re seeing show that culturally responsive, peer-led interventions can make a real difference—even in a short amount of time.” 

Alma participants also experienced increased activity levels and a greater sense of reward from their environment—the satisfaction they derived from their surroundings. These changes were strongly linked to sustained improvements in mental health. 

The program is centered on behavioral activation (BA), an evidence-based approach rooted in a simple yet profound principle: people can change how they feel by changing what they do. 

“The idea behind BA is that when people feel depressed, they often withdraw from activities that bring them joy or a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to a downward spiral of isolation and depression,” added Collado. 

Addressing a Growing Crisis 

Offered in both English and Spanish, Alma is a peer-to-peer mentoring program that supports new and expectant parents. By working directly with the communities it serves, Alma builds on their strengths and fosters meaningful connections. 

Developed by researchers, mental health professionals, community members, and parents, Alma equips new and expectant parents with the support and skills needed to overcome challenges and reduce depression, anxiety, and stress during pregnancy and early parenting. 

The comes at a time when mental health challenges among Latina mothers are reaching critical levels. Between 12%–59% of Latinas report high levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms during the perinatal period, yet only a fraction of those who seek care receive adequate follow-up or treatment.  

Barriers such as stigma, language differences, and systemic discrimination prevent many Latina mothers from accessing timely mental health support. These challenges are compounded by additional stressors like poverty, trauma, immigration status, and acculturative stress, all of which are strongly associated with an increased likelihood of perinatal depression and anxiety. 

Trust and Connection Through Shared Experience 

directly aims to address these systemic barriers. The program pairs mothers with compañeras de apoyo—peer mentors with lived experience—who provide culturally responsive guidance and emotional support. These mentors help participants identify personal goals, schedule mood boosting activities, and address contextual challenges, empowering them to take charge of their recovery. 

“It’s not just the language, it’s that the mothers are understood culturally. We make them feel like they are in a safe space, like they are with an equal who genuinely wants to connect with them,” says Sol Angel Ramos, Alma peer mentor supervisor. 

Peer mentorship has been shown to enhance trust, reduce stigma, and increase receptivity to mental health care, particularly among underserved communities. 

“Alma builds on this evidence, fostering strong cultural alignment through its focus on “poner de su parte”—a preference among many Latinx individuals that emphasizes taking an active role in one’s recovery,” added Collado. 

The program also demonstrates great potential for scalability. During the pandemic, the Alma team successfully transitioned to virtual delivery, removing geographic and logistical barriers and increasing access for underserved populations.  

“This flexibility positions Alma as a potential model for expanding maternal mental health care across the nation. The evidence-based approach of behavioral activation makes it especially suitable for peer delivery and bridging gaps in the mental health workforce.” said Sona Dimidijan, PhD, Professor and Director of the Crown Institute.  

Maternal Mental Health Starts with Prevention 

By addressing depression and anxiety symptoms before they escalate into bigger issues, the program provides crucial early intervention. This approach benefits not only mothers but also their children, as maternal mental health is closely linked to child health and development outcomes. 

As policymakers and public health leaders grapple with maternal mental health, Alma might offer a blueprint for accessible care. Its success demonstrates the potential of culturally responsive, evidence-based programs that center the voices of the communities they serve. 

For the mothers participating in Alma, the program is more than just a mental health program—it’s a lifeline. To date, it has served over 250 new and expectant parents directly through the program at the Crown Institute, and more than 480 through our organizational and institutional partners in Colorado, New Jersey, and California. 

“The thing about Alma, is that it’s not just the eight weeks. It becomes a life process.” Ramos concluded.  

Interested in learning more about Alma? click here.  

Contributors: Anahí Collado, Sona Dimidjian, Laurel Hicks, Samuel Hubley, Joseph Levy, Caitlin McKimmy, Marta Genovez, Robert Gallop, Desiree Bauer, Elena Aranda. 

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