Slovenia: the battle for maternal mental health
05/03/2026, Marta Abbà, Mesec Maj
A journey through Ljubljana and the Slovenian suburbs, where a group of women works on maternal mental health – the thing the healthcare system neither measures nor addresses. A third of Slovenian mothers meet the clinical criteria for postpartum depression. Almost none receive help.
We captured the places where this challenge is played out every day: the Slovenian hospital where mothers give birth and are discharged without being asked how they are doing; the University of Ljubljana where Trupi trained as a teacher before discovering that becoming a mother required resources no course had provided; moments of Šloša’s daily work – the focus groups, the research, the meetings where data becomes leverage to convince those with the power to change things.
Ordinary places that tell the extraordinary story of those who decided that waiting was no longer an option.
A moment of intimacy and silent sharing. Umbilica is working to change the system
A moment of intimacy and silent sharing. Umbilica is working to change the system - Foto Mesec Maj Photography
Špela Šlosa helps Slovenian mothers by supporting them during childbirth – Photo Mesec Maj Photography
Špela Šlosa helps Slovenian mothers by supporting them during childbirth – Photo Mesec Maj Photography
Špela Šlosa embraces a woman she supports during her motherhood journey – Photo Mesec Maj Photography
Špela Šlosa embraces a woman she supports during her motherhood journey – Photo Mesec Maj Photography
A moment of intimacy and silent sharing. Umbilica is working to change the system – Photo Mesec Maj Photography
A moment of intimacy and silent sharing. Umbilica is working to change the system – Photo Mesec Maj Photography
The corridors of the Ljubljana Maternity Hospital are plastered with phrases that remind us that becoming a mother is complex but also exciting – Photo Marta Abbà
The corridors of the Ljubljana Maternity Hospital are plastered with phrases that remind us that becoming a mother is complex but also exciting – Photo Marta Abbà
The noticeboard at the entrance to the Ljubljana Maternity Hospital is filled with promotions for initiatives for new or expectant mothers. However, few ask them how they are doing – Photo Marta Abbà
The noticeboard at the entrance to the Ljubljana Maternity Hospital is filled with promotions for initiatives for new or expectant mothers. However, few ask them how they are doing - Photo Marta Abbà
Between the old and new buildings of the Maternity Hospital, a banner commemorating the recently celebrated 100th anniversary of its birth appears – Photo Marta Abbà
Between the old and new buildings of the Maternity Hospital, a banner commemorating the recently celebrated 100th anniversary of its birth appears - Photo Marta Abbà
Maja Trupi in front of the Faculty of Education in Ljubljana, where she studied to become a teacher – Photo Marta Abbà
Maja Trupi in front of the Faculty of Education in Ljubljana, where she studied to become a teacher - Photo Marta Abbà
This photo gallery was produced as part of the EuSEE project, co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the granting authority, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for them.
