Maternal and child health is not only determined by nutritional intake and access to health care, but is also influenced by good mental health. Recognizing the importance of a holistic approach, Cita Sehat, in collaboration with Posyandu Astra, is organizing the MANES (Mother’s Antenatal & Child Nutrition, Education & Support) program, which provides maternal and child health education as well as mental health screenings for participants.
The program, which was held on April 11, 2026, April 29, 2026, and May 9, 2026, online via Zoom Meetings and YouTube Live, successfully reached 1,584 beneficiaries from various regions across Indonesia.
Through a promotive and preventive approach, MANES is designed to increase public awareness of maternal health, family nutrition, child growth and development, and the importance of maintaining mental health in the process of child-rearing and family life.
Nutrition and Mental Health Challenges Remain a Concern
Suboptimal nutritional status among pregnant women remains one of the factors contributing to various child health problems. Poor nutrition during pregnancy can increase the risk of low birth weight (LBW) and affect a child’s future growth and development.
On the other hand, mental health is also an aspect that cannot be overlooked. Various studies show that the psychological well-being of mothers and other family members can influence parenting styles, quality of life, and children’s overall growth and development.
This issue is becoming increasingly relevant given that the national prevalence of stunting remains at 21.5 percent according to the 2023 Indonesia Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI), making it necessary to implement interventions that focus not only on physical health but also on the mental health of families.
Joint Education with Healthcare Professionals
As part of the program, MANES featured various professional speakers who discussed a range of important topics related to maternal and child health, ranging from healthy pregnancy, meeting the nutritional needs of mothers and toddlers, feeding infants and children, to stimulating optimal growth and development.
Each session is designed so that participants can gain information that is easy to understand, based on scientific evidence, and can be directly applied in their daily lives.
As part of its efforts to expand the impact of education, this program also features the MANES Competition, a contest for creating educational content on maternal and child health. Through this competition, participants are encouraged to become agents of change who help disseminate health information to the general public via social media.
Participants’ Knowledge Increased Significantly After Each Session
The evaluation results show that this program successfully increased participants’ average knowledge by 72 percent, indicating that the material presented was effective in strengthening participants’ overall understanding of maternal and child health.
More specifically, knowledge gains occurred in each session covering the material, namely:
- The Maternal Health Session successfully increased participants’ knowledge by up to 75%.
- The Clean and Healthy Living Practices (PHBS) session successfully increased participants’ knowledge by up to 74%.
- The Child Health Session successfully increased participants’ knowledge by 69%.
This achievement demonstrates that an educational approach that features professional speakers and content tailored to community needs can have a tangible impact on improving participants’ health literacy.
It is hoped that this increase in knowledge will not stop at the level of understanding, but will also encourage behavioral changes in daily life—from maintaining health during pregnancy and practicing healthy lifestyle habits within the family to supporting children’s optimal growth and development.
Complete the Intervention with Mental Health Screening
One aspect that sets the MANES program apart is the mental health screening of participants. The screening was conducted on 685 active participants using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-29) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The purpose of this screening is to help participants identify their mental health status early on, while also raising awareness that mental health is an important part of overall health.
Through this screening, participants have the opportunity to reflect on their psychological well-being, enabling them to take the appropriate steps if they need further support or assistance.
This initiative also reinforces the message that efforts to raise a healthy generation begin not only with meeting nutritional and physical health needs, but also with fostering a mentally and emotionally healthy family environment.
Manes Maternal & Child Health
The MANES program was met with great enthusiasm from the participants. In addition to gaining new insights into maternal and child health, the participants also found the discussion on mental health—an issue that has often been overlooked—to be particularly helpful.
One of the participants expressed his appreciation for this program :
“Thank you to Posyandu Astra and Cita Sehat for the very helpful educational session. The material presented has broadened our horizons as parents, and the mental health screening has made us more aware of the importance of taking care of our own well-being so that we can better support our children.”
Participants hope that similar activities will continue to be held and reach a wider audience, so that access to quality health education becomes more equitable.
A Commitment to Build a Healthy Generation from Healthy Families
Through its collaboration with Astra, Cita Sehat remains committed to providing health programs that address various aspects of people’s lives, ranging from physical health and nutrition to mental health.
The MANES program is a real manifestation of the fact that preventing stunting and improving children’s health require a comprehensive approach. By strengthening families’ knowledge while raising awareness of mental health, it is hoped that a healthier, more resilient, and higher-quality generation of Indonesians will emerge.
As an organization focused on promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects, Cita Sehat believes that the best investment in the nation’s future begins with families that are both physically and mentally healthy.
About Cita Sehat
Cita Sehat is a nonprofit organization focused on improving public health through promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative approaches. Together with various partners from the government, the private sector, educational institutions, and the community, Cita Sehat continues to deliver sustainable health programs to build a healthier Indonesia.
