A mobile health platform to support mental health in new mothers
Official title: MommaConnect, a mobile health platform (mHealth) based on our evidence-based Mother-Baby Connections (MBC) perinatal mental health program
Funded at Benten Technologies, INC. · NIH-10601772 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new mobile app called MommaConnect to help African American and Black women who are dealing with postpartum depression by providing support and resources that really speak to their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benten Technologies, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manassas, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $398,457 |
| NIH project number | 1R43MD018236-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10601772 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American/Black women who have experienced postpartum depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American/Black or who have not experienced postpartum depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops MommaConnect, a mobile health platform designed to assist African American/Black women experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). The project involves co-creating content for the platform with mothers who have faced PPD, ensuring it is culturally relevant and addresses specific barriers they encounter. The feasibility of the platform will be evaluated over 12 weeks with a group of participants and clinicians, focusing on improving access to mental health care for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a tailored mental health support system for new mothers, particularly those from African American/Black communities, improving their mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using mobile health platforms to improve mental health outcomes, particularly in underserved populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Benten Technologies, INC.
Manassas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Tony Xuyen — Benten Technologies, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ma, Tony Xuyen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.