Mentor moms step in to help mothers break cycle of abuse and depression

This small, early-stage study tested a 6-month community support program for pregnant women and mothers of young children who have recently experienced intimate partner violence and show signs of depression or PTSD. The program pairs participants with trained mentor mothers who provide emotional support, help build social connections, and teach communication skills. The goal was to see if this approach could ease mental health symptoms and help prevent further violence while preparing for a larger future trial.