JCHS proudly congratulates Dean Rachelle Sarmiento, together with lecturers Dr. Nemencio Santos, Jr. and Ms. Mary Ann Bayani, as well as Team COCOON Philippines led by Dr. Joemer Maravilla and Director Joycelyn Filoteo, on the successful publication of their research article in BMJ Open, an international peer-reviewed journal of the British Medical Association. This significant achievement reflects the strong commitment of the team toward advancing evidence-based research and improving public health outcomes.
The large-scale and pioneering study highlights the critical need for psychological support for mothers throughout the perinatal period, a phase marked by increased emotional and psychological vulnerability. As the first large-scale foundational evidence on perinatal depression in the Philippines, the research underscores the urgent need to strengthen maternal mental health support systems across the country. The findings further emphasize the importance of integrating maternal mental health into healthcare systems, clinical practice, and national policy to ensure better support for mothers and families.
Read the full article here: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/2/e109079.full
