Alma

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Alma

al 听釔 ma (/藞蓱藧lm蓹/ AHL-m蓹)听鈥 the Latin word for 鈥渘ourishing鈥 and 鈥渒ind,鈥 and the Spanish word for 鈥渟oul.鈥 This one little word captures what we hope moms will feel when they connect with us.

Alma is an evidence-based peer specialist program that supports the mental health and wellness of new and expectant mothers and promotes mental health equity. Alma peer specialists鈥攎ost of whom are moms who have lived through their own mental health challenges鈥攑rovide access to knowledge, skills, and support guided by science and their own lived experience.

This evidenced-based program is not therapy or mental health treatment; it鈥檚 about empowering moms to apply simple, science-backed skills. The Peer Mentors who deliver this support bring vital lived experience, augmented with science and evidence, preparing them to share skills of behavioral activation (BA)鈥攁 psychotherapy with over 25 years of mounting evidence.听

  • Alma provides flexible, culturally responsive mental health support for moms from moms anchored in community, backed by science 鈥 because when mom thrives the whole family and community thrives.
    • Many moms face barriers to mental health care and need spaces that center trust and belonging. Alma bridges this gap by providing peer-led, culturally responsive support that transforms isolation into connection and emotional struggle into healing
    • Peer support is most effective when it meets moms where they are at, and is rooted in shared experience, active listening, and culturally grounded care
  • At the heart of the Alma program听is our team of peer mentors: moms who have experienced mental health challenges themselves and receive training to support other moms facing similar challenges.
  • These peer mentors have had success in their own lives using听the Alma skills, which are inspired by an approach called behavioral activation. The essence of these skills is that you can change how you feel by changing what you do.
    • Alma is not a therapy or mental health treatment; it鈥檚 about empowering moms to apply simple, science-backed skills听to help each other stop the downward spiral of depression. 听Alma can also help to connect new and expectant moms with mental health treatment and other resources.
      • The Alma program includes 3 phases:
        • getting started and learning together听(developing relationships and understandings)
        • getting active and solving problems听(sharing skills and overcoming barriers)
        • ending well (continuing to use skills once the program is complete)
  • If you want to learn more听肠辞苍迟补肠迟听alma@colorado.edu听

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Testimonials

鈥淢y depression was a very difficult time. I would鈥檝e liked to have had support. That鈥檚 why I believe in the Alma program鈥攂ecause. I am a mother who might help other mothers.鈥

GRACIA, Alma Mentor

"To me, Alma is light in the path of depression. Alma symbolizes friendship, support and fellowship among mothers who would otherwise feel lonely in such an important phase in their lives.鈥

ISABEL, Alma Mentor

"I enjoy watching folks find themselves again in the midst of preparing for parenting or during the realistic journey of the postpartum period. Alma gives families hope and in turn, strengthens the entire community. I鈥檓 also so grateful for the Alma skills in my own life! It is an honor to do this work.鈥

PIA, Alma Mentor

鈥淚 feel so privileged to get to share Alma with other moms and become part of their story as they navigate what can be a very difficult and lonely chapter. It鈥檚 exciting to play a small role in the larger movement that is changing the conversation around pregnancy and early motherhood.鈥

SUSANNAH, Alma Mentor

Our Partners

The Alma program is grateful to be connected with some amazing partners in Colorado and across the US.听

department
mcpap
prosper
postpartum
lifespan
clinicia
hard beauty
valley settlement
community health

We are eager to share Alma with new听partner organizations via a train-the-trainer model. Our training and implementation toolkits give perinatal mental health traiers, mentors, and moms access to effective and easy-to-use wellness skills, in the way that works best for them.听We鈥檝e standardized the resources that are available to mentors, trainers, and supervisors, enabling consistent, scalable, high-quality implementation of Alma.

Our Alma team provides

  • A unique training program designed 鈥渇or moms, by moms鈥澨that was co-developed by a team of moms, peers, researchers, and licensed mental health providers

  • Science-backed toolkit听that contains background materials, how-to manuals, train the trainer guides, instructions on evaluation, and more

  • Rigorous training for peers to share behavioral activation skills, and includes information about perinatal mental health, cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, and more

  • A virtual training hub for peer mentors, featuring recorded lessons and experiential practices tailored to diverse learning styles

Principal Investigators (PI)

Our Team