Alma

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Alma

al  ᐧ ma (/ˈɑːlmə/ AHL-mə) — the Latin word for “nourishing” and “kind,” and the Spanish word for “soul.” 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—most of whom are moms who have lived through their own mental health challenges—provide 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’s 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)—a psychotherapy with over 25 years of mounting evidence. 

  • Alma provides flexible, culturally responsive mental health support for moms from moms anchored in community, backed by science … 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 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 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’s about empowering moms to apply simple, science-backed skills to help each other stop the downward spiral of depression.  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 (developing relationships and understandings)
        • getting active and solving problems (sharing skills and overcoming barriers)
        • ending well (continuing to use skills once the program is complete)
  • If you want to learn more contact alma@colorado.edu 

 

Testimonials

“My depression was a very difficult time. I would’ve liked to have had support. That’s why I believe in the Alma program—because. I am a mother who might help other mothers.”

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.”

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’m also so grateful for the Alma skills in my own life! It is an honor to do this work.”

PIA, Alma Mentor

“I 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’s exciting to play a small role in the larger movement that is changing the conversation around pregnancy and early motherhood.”

SUSANNAH, Alma Mentor

Our Partners

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

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

We are eager to share Alma with new 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. We’ve 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 “for moms, by moms” that was co-developed by a team of moms, peers, researchers, and licensed mental health providers

  • Science-backed toolkit 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