CCIH 2025 Virtual Learning Institute

Empowered to Heal: Maternal Mental Health for Faith-based Communities

October 7, 8, and 9 from 8:00 to 10:30 am US ET / 12:00 to 2:30 pm GMT

CCIH’s popular Virtual Learning Institute returned for its third year, this time with a focus on maternal mental health, one of the most neglected issues facing communities.

Nearly one in five women in low- and middle-income countries suffer from one or more common perinatal mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. For adolescent girls and women, mental disorders are the most frequent complications during the vulnerable time of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Faith communities have an outsized role to play in addressing maternal mental health, as they often influence community behaviors and norms.

With USAID support, CCIH led the development of a Maternal Mental Health toolkit to equip faith actors with the information and tools they need to remove barriers that inhibit positive maternal mental health.

VLI attendees gained increased knowledge, a tailored action plan, and a CCIH certificate in maternal mental health.

What Others Are Saying

CCIH member World Renew learned how to use the toolkit and is employing it in their maternal health projects. Hear from Gretchen of the Anglican Development Services Kenya, who has been working in partnership with World Renew Kenya to implement a Maternal Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Reproductive Health Project.

“The toolkit has been so instrumental in addressing different issues within the communities that we’re working with, especially putting our focus on myths and misconceptions [surrounding maternal mental health] that exist in the communities.” -Gretchen, Anglican Development Services Kenya.

Virtual Learning Institute Facilitators

	Mona Bormet, MPH, CHES, Program Director, CCIH Mona Bormet directs a global portfolio of initiatives that improve timely access to quality health services in communities and facilities, by working with faith-based partners and CCIH members around the world. Mona began working with CCIH as an individual member and volunteer, and since 2010 has been on staff, first focused on US advocacy efforts. Previously, Mona served as Advocacy Program Specialist for the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. Mona has an MPH from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and a BS from Illinois State University. She received the American Public Health Association International Health Section Mid-Career Award in 2023.
	Doug Fountain, MPA, Executive Director, CCIH Doug Fountain is a seasoned leader with over 35 years of experience in faith-based and secular health services, including planning, research, and evaluation in both international development and U.S. domestic health sectors. Previously, Doug held executive leadership positions at Medical Teams International and Uganda Christian University, where he lived for over eight years. Doug actively contributes to global faith-based health efforts, serving on the Steering Committee of the Anglican Health and Communities Network, and the Supervisory Council of the Faith to Action Network. He holds an MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Oregon.
	Ruth M. Kayima, MPH, RD, Health and Gender Coordinator-East Africa, World Renew Ruth Kayima provides technical support for teams and partners in the design and implementation of community-based programs. She holds a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Public Health from The Makerere University College of Health Sciences. She serves as a Technical Advisor for Community-Based Prevention and Care for CCIH.
	Millicent Muriuki, MA, Clinical Therapist, World Relief Millicent Muriuki works with World Relief in Durham, North Carolina, U.S. where she helps refugee and immigrant communities access trauma-informed mental health care. She recently transitioned from Kenya, where she led the mental health department at one of the country’s largest mission hospitals. With more than 15 years in clinical practice and program leadership, she has combined direct patient care with the design of sustainable mental health and employee wellness initiatives. Millicent holds a MA in Clinical Psychology from United States International University–Africa and maintains a registration as a psychologist and clinical officer in Kenya.
	Carolyn O’Brien, MSPH, Program Manager, CCIH Carolyn O'Brien monitors project activities of subgrantees and ensuring overall implementation of all grant activities. Carolyn leads CCIH’s efforts on the Christian Health Asset Mapping Consortium and the Faith Consortium for Climate Resilient Health, and she coordinates and supports CCIH’s 30×30 Health Systems Initiative. Previously, Carolyn served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Albania, working in health education and female empowerment. Carolyn has global health research experience in the fields of household air pollution (HAP) and road safety. Carolyn has an MSPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a BA from Calvin University.