Resources for Mental Health and Family Planning: Using Family Therapy to Improve Reproductive Health Outcomes

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health struggles worldwide, with women's mental well-being being particularly affected by rising rates of gender-based violence and reduced access to family planning services during lockdowns. Increased anxiety and depression brought on by pandemic-induced stressors can negatively impact contraceptive continuation and self-care. The Society for Pre and Post Natal Services (SPANS) in Zimbabwe has taken a holistic approach to addressing mental health and family planning through family therapy. Linos Muhvu, Secretary and Chief Talent Team Leader at SPANS, emphasizes that mental health services should be a component of a comprehensive package of family planning care. This approach recognizes that family planning is a family issue, requiring the involvement of both partners and other family members in decision-making. Research has shown that women having equitable access to family planning services and contraceptive methods of their choice can reduce stress levels and improve mental health and well-being. However, family planning and contraceptive method choice can also be a source of conflict within families, particularly when decisions are made without the involvement of both partners. Women who use contraceptive methods discreetly without their partner's knowledge may experience side effects, leading to domestic violence, infidelity, and other problems. Adolescents under the age of 18 who are married or in relationships face multiple challenges, including social support, education, and childcare responsibilities. They require comprehensive care, including access to family planning services, social support, and education, to prevent unwanted pregnancy and mitigate the negative impacts on their mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the mental health effects of the pandemic will be prevalent for years to come, even greater than the effects of World War II. In Zimbabwe, mental health disorders, including distress, post-traumatic disorders, mild and moderate depression, and anxiety, are common and affect individuals' sound mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with many individuals struggling to cope with the social problems and challenges that affect their mental health. SPANS' COVID-19 Community Family Mental Health Response Team has been working to address these issues, providing mental health services as part of a comprehensive package of family planning care. The team recognizes that mental health is a critical component of reproductive health outcomes and that family planning is a family issue that requires the involvement of both partners and other family members in decision-making. By taking a holistic approach to addressing mental health and family planning, SPANS aims to improve reproductive health outcomes and promote sound mental health for individuals, families, and communities.