Alma
What is Alma?
Alma (/ˈɑːlmə/ AHL-mə) comes from the Latin word fornourishing andkind, and the Spanish word forsoul. This one word reflects what Alma offers: kindness, nourishment, and soul. Alma is a peer-led, science-backed mental health support program designed for new and expectant mothers.
Alma was created in response to persistent gaps in maternal mental health care such as long waitlists, language and cultural barriers, and support that often feels inaccessible or out of reach. Alma supports the mental health and wellness of new and expectant mothers, recognizing that when moms are supported, their families and communities benefit too.
We listened to mothers in our communities, especially those who had experienced depression, felt alone in motherhood, and wanted to help others avoid the same struggles. That insight led us to co-create Alma.
At the core of Alma is peer support. Peer mentors, who are mothers themselves, receive training to support others through their own lived experience. They share practical, science-based tools rooted inbehavioral activation, a proven approach that helps people reconnect with meaningful daily activities to improve mood and well-being. Alma is available in English and Spanish.
- Peer-Led Support: Alma peer mentors are moms who understand what it is like to face mental health challenges in motherhood. Their support is personal, relatable, and grounded in trust.
- Evidence-Based Tools: Alma uses behavioral activation, a simple and effective approach backed by decades of research that encourages small steps toward mood-boosting activities and routines.
- Support Rooted in Lived Experience: Alma is not a substitute for therapy. Peer mentors and mothers collaborate in applying practical tools that help reverse the cycle of depression. Peers receive intensive training from other peers and licensed mental health providers. When additional support is needed, mentors can help connect participants to mental health providers and community resources.
Moms meet with a trained peer mentor once a week for six to eight sessions. Sessions can take place in person or online, depending on what works best for each family Together, moms and mentors:
- Explore values, priorities, and meaningful goals
- Practice small, doable steps to improve mood and reduce isolation
- Learn tools to manage everyday stress and build social support
- Identify and reconnect with activities that bring joy, purpose, or connection
The Alma program follows three stages:
- Getting started and learning together - building relationships and setting intentions
- Getting active and solving problems - learning and practicing skills
- Ending well - reviewing progress and preparing for what’s next
We are excited to partner with organizations through a train-the-trainer model that supports local leaders in offering Alma within their own communities.
Our model includes:
- A training curriculum co-developed by moms, peers, researchers, and licensed mental health providers
- A complete toolkit with manuals, trainer guides, evaluation templates, and planning resources
- Training for peer mentors in the skills and principles of behavioral activation and perinatal mental health
- A virtual learning hub with recorded lessons and hands-on activities for diverse learning styles
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. The Crown Institute supports Alma in English and Spanish.
We are eager to share Alma with newpartner 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 toolkitthat contains background materials, how-to manuals, train the trainer guides, instructions on evaluation, and more
Rigorous training for peer mentors in the skills and principles of behavioral activation, and perinatal mental health
A virtual training hub for peer mentors, featuring recorded lessons and experiential practices tailored to diverse learning styles
Let’s Connect
Whether you're a mother looking for support or part of an organization hoping to offer Alma, we would love to hear from you.
Contact: alma@colorado.edu
We believe meaningful change happens when mothers are supported by other mothers, using tools rooted in both real life and science.