A new global health initiative that aims to improve the mental health of expectant mothers through music has launched amid growing concerns over international research funding cuts.
The Community Health Intervention through Musical Engagement (CHIME) for Maternal Mental Health project, which is set to run for four years, brings together researchers from the United Kingdom, South Africa, The Gambia, Lesotho, and Australia. The initiative seeks to explore how culturally embedded musical practices can enhance maternal well-being, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
The project, which received nearly £2.8 million (around US$3.5 million) from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), represents a significant investment in maternal mental health research in the Global South. However, its launch in late February coincided with the announcement of sweeping cuts to UK foreign aid, following similar moves by former US President Donald Trump, who froze international research funding at the start of his second term in January.
While the funding for CHIME is secure for now, the timing of these cuts underscores the increasing vulnerability of global health research projects.
Music as a Tool for Mental Health
“There is an urgent need for maternal mental health interventions, but many countries lack the resources for the necessary screening and support,” said Professor Sarah Skeen, a co-leader of the study from the Institute for Life Course Health Research at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. “We are exploring accessible, culturally acceptable activities that can help fill this gap. Our previous work suggests that music-based interventions hold great promise.”
Professor Lauren Stewart, co-leader of CHIME from the University of Roehampton in the UK, has previously studied the effects of music on maternal mental health in The Gambia. Research shows that up to 20% of women in high-income countries experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy, a figure that can double in low-income settings due to poverty, limited access to mental health care, and social stressors.
Stewart’s earlier research demonstrated that participation in structured, culturally relevant group singing helped reduce anxiety and stress among expectant mothers. Participants in the singing groups reported better social connections, improved mood, and increased empowerment to manage pregnancy-related challenges.
Breaking the Cycle of Poor Maternal Mental Health
Poor mental health during pregnancy is not only detrimental to mothers but can also have lasting effects on their children’s development. Professor Skeen emphasized that maternal mental health issues are linked to adverse outcomes such as reduced use of health services, birth complications, child mortality, and low birth weight.
Additionally, children of mothers with poor mental health are more likely to experience stunted growth, cognitive delays, and increased vulnerability to mental health problems during adolescence. By addressing maternal mental health, CHIME aims to disrupt these intergenerational cycles of disadvantage.
Leveraging Cultural Traditions
One of the standout features of CHIME is its use of community-based musical traditions. In The Gambia, researchers partnered with local organizations including the Ministry of Health, the National Centre for Arts and Culture, and all-female fertility societies to co-design and implement music-based interventions.
The kanyeleng groups, formed by women who have experienced infertility or the loss of a child, use music and fertility rituals to support the well-being of mothers and babies. This cultural practice has been shown to positively impact participants, as demonstrated in a case study where one participant shared how the intervention helped her feel more engaged and connected at social events.
Dr. Katie Rose Sanfilippo, a researcher involved in the Gambian study, noted that the intervention’s benefits spread beyond participants. “Many women shared what they learned with others,” she said, highlighting the potential for these practices to influence broader social networks.
The intervention’s success has caught the attention of policymakers. Buba Darboe, from The Gambia’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the potential for such results to inform national maternal health policies.
Adaptations for South Africa and Lesotho
While rooted in cultural traditions, CHIME recognizes the need for adaptations in different settings. In South Africa, where kanyeleng groups do not exist, researchers are working with community health workers and local organizations to develop music-based interventions tailored to the country’s health structures.
In Lesotho, researchers will collaborate with the Ministry of Health to explore how to integrate music interventions into the country’s maternal health programs.
Cost-Effective and Stigma-Free Interventions
Professor Skeen explained that music provides an accessible and socially accepted means of mental health support. “Music allows people to express emotions and engage with others in ways that might be difficult when discussing mental health, which is often stigmatized,” she said.
Moreover, music-based interventions are cost-effective compared to traditional mental health services. Researchers will conduct cost-effectiveness analyses to determine whether these programs can be scaled sustainably, considering the hidden costs for mothers, such as time spent attending sessions and transportation expenses.
A Collaborative Research Effort
A key feature of the CHIME project is its collaborative approach, bringing together experts from diverse fields and regions. The research benefits from a strong partnership with the Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia, linked to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. This collaboration enhances the study’s methodology and strengthens its evidence base, crucial for influencing global health recommendations.
Dr. Bonnie McConnell, an ethnomusicologist from the Australian National University, adds a unique perspective to the team, exploring how music intersects with issues of health, identity, and social change.
Global Implications
For now, the CHIME project’s funding remains secure. However, Professor Skeen expressed concern about the broader implications of global funding cuts, which could undermine vital maternal and child health interventions. “Most global health research comes from the Global North, but it’s not always relevant to the Global South,” she said. “Projects like CHIME, co-developed with local communities, generate valuable, context-specific evidence.”
With the future of international research funding uncertain, CHIME exemplifies the potential for low-cost, culturally appropriate interventions to address maternal mental health. As funding becomes increasingly strained, initiatives like CHIME could serve as a model for integrating mental health support into maternal care worldwide.
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